The fourth-seeded UC Santa Barbara women’s water polo team (16-11) posted a 14-8 victory over fifth-seeded Pacific (9-24) on Friday afternoon during the first round of the inaugural Big West Conference Women’s Water Polo Tournament, which is being hosted by the Tigers this weekend at Chris Kjeldsen Pool.
UCSB jumped out to a narrow lead in the first quarter, outscoring the Tigers 4-3 during the first eight minutes of the game. Then, in the second, the Gauchos stretched their advantage to 8-4.
Pacific held UCSB to just two goals in the third, but the Gauchos entered the final quarter with a 10-5 lead. Santa Barbara added four more goals in the fourth and ended the game with the 14-8 victory.
Lizzie Rouleau and Amanda Tipton led the team, each posting a hat trick while Kathryn Nelson and Gillian Morgan each chipped in a pair. Chelsea Carrillo tallied six saves in the victory.
UCSB will face No. 1 seed Cal State Northridge during Saturday’s semifinal. The Gauchos and Matadors will face-off at 4 p.m. at Pacific’s Chris Kjeldsen Pool.
#17 UC Santa Barbara 14, Pacific 8
1 2 3 4 Final
UCSB 4 4 2 4 14
Pacific 3 1 1 3 8
UCSB Goals: Lizzie Rouleau 3, Amanda Tipton 3, Gillian Morgan 2, Kathryn Nelson 2, Cailee Kilroy 1, Claire Buchanan 1, Elle Quane 1, Alisha Kahn 1.
UCSB Saves: Chelsea Carrillo 6.
Pacific Goals: Dara Tawarahara 5, Bridget Geck 3.
