Coming off an impressive 10-9 victory over No. 14 Loyola Marymount earlier this week, the No. 15 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (16-7, 1-0) came back home to participate in its single day mini tournament. Playing a total of three games, UCSB swept its competition with wins over St. Francis, Marist University and Iona.
Opening the day against St. Francis, UCSB started off fast offensively as the Gauchos stormed to an early 6-2 lead after the first period. Equally impressive for UC Santa Barbara was the shutdown defense as St. Francis was only able to net four goals during the entire match. With the offensive firepower and the stout defense, the Gauchos defeated the Terriers, 17-4.
After easily winning its first match of the day, UC Santa Barbara went right back into action against Marist University. The first period remained close as the Gauchos only obtained a slim 2-1 lead due to goals fromSamantha Murphy and Kacey Creek. With an offensive outburst in the second and third periods, which the Gauchos outscored the Red Foxes, 8-3 in those periods, No. 15 UCSB topped Marist by the score of 12-5.
Heading into its last match of the mini tournament, UCSB was slated to face off against the Iona Gaels. The Gauchos’ offense stormed out to an early 5-1 lead with two goals apiece from Jessie Porter and Lauren Martin. After failing to score a goal in the second period, the Gauchos went back to work and netted four goals in the third period. UC Santa Barbara never faced a deficit as they once again cruised to a victory by defeating Iona, 12-7.
Leading the Gauchos’ offense in the mini tournament with eleven goals was freshman Samantha Murphy. Fellow freshman Jessie Porter also had a stellar performance as she tallied a total of ten goals.
For the defense, freshman goalkeeper Mackenzie Brokaw displayed great play in goal as she filled in for senior goalkeeper, Ruth Milne. Through the three games, Brokaw recorded an impressive 29 saves.
UC Santa Barbara will be back home next weekend as they face off against No. 19 Pacific at the Campus Pool on Sunday, March 24, at noon.
Tickets for home women’s water polo games are available by visiting the Ticket Office in the Intercollegiate Athletics Building on campus, by calling (805) 893-UCSB or by clicking here.
BOX SCORES
St. Francis 4, UCSB 17
1 2 3 4 Final St. Francis 2 1 0 1 4 UCSB 6 5 2 4 17 St. Francis Goals: Juliette Khalil (2) Alana Hernandez, Kristina Rudko
St. Francis Saves: Kacie Davis (1)UCSB Goals: Samantha Murphy (6) Jessie Porter (3) Bryn Hudson (2) Holly Smith (2) Lauren Martin (2)Michelle Dunn, Mackenzie Baber
UCSB Saves: Mackenzie Brokaw (9)
Marist 5, UCSB 12
1 2 3 4 Final Marist 1 1 2 1 5 UCSB 2 4 4 2 12 Marist Goals: Robyn Crabtree (2) Anna-Lena Hathaway (2) Yurira Chavez
Marist Saves: Elise Humphries (4)UCSB Goals: Jessie Porter (4) Lauren Martin (2) Kacey Creek (2) Shelby Haroldson, Claryann Olofsson-Loo, Bryn Hudson, Samantha Murphy
UCSB Saves: Mackenzie Brokaw (11)
Iona 7, UCSB 12
1 2 3 4 Final Iona 1 1 1 4 7 UCSB 5 0 4 3 12 Iona Goals: Amy Olsen (3) Sarah Hanly, Hannah Cross, Erika Lauratis, Alyssa Turza
Iona Saves: Marisa GaynorUCSB Goals: Samantha Murphy (4) Jessie Porter (3) Lauren Martin (3) Kacey Creek, Miranda Schrader
UCSB Saves: Mackenzie Brokaw (9)
