The No. 17 UC Santa Barbara women’s water polo team took on No. 5 Arizona State and No. 4 Cal on the second day of the Winter Invite. UCSB fell to Arizona State 11-6 and later was upset by Cal 14-4.
Junior Lauren Martin opened the game with a solid sweep shot in set to give the Gauchos a 1-0 lead. The Sundevils answered with three straight goals before freshman Carly Christian scored two of her own to end the first period 4-3 with Arizona State up. Sophomore Bryn Hudson tied the game to open the second quarter, but Arizona State was able to score three more goals, ending the first half up 7-4.
Freshman Jenna Solberg scored the lone goal for the Gauchos in the third quarter. The Gauchos ended the fourth quarter with a goal from sophomore Samantha Murphy, but they were unable to overcome the Sundevils, leading to their 11-6 loss.
Coming off their earlier game, UCSB prepared to take on No. 4 Cal. The Bears opened the game with four consecutive goals to end the first quarter. The Gauchos started the second quarter with a goal from Samantha Murphy to cut the Bears lead. However, the Bears responded with four consecutive goals to lead 8-1 going into the second half.
Bryn Hudson scored the lone goal for UCSB in the third quarter. Lauren Martin took control and scored two goals to open the fourth quarter. UCSB’s defense, which was anchored by goalkeeper Mackenzie Brokaw, was able to contain Cal to just three goals in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough, as UCSB fell to Cal 14-4.
UCSB will play at home again tomorrow as they take on No. 14 UC San Diego at 8 a.m., No. 3 UCLA at 11:30 a.m., and Claremont-Mudd Scripps at 4:10 p.m.
BOX SCORES
Arizona St. 11, UCSB 6
1 2 3 4 Final UCSB 3 1 1 1 6 Arizona St. 4 3 2 2 11 UCSB Goals: Carly Christian (2), Samantha Murphy, Jenna Solberg, Lauren Martin, Bryn Hudson
UCSB Saves: Mackenzie Brokaw (6)Arizona St. Goals: Alkistis Benekou (3), Izabella Chiappini (3), Ao Gao (2), Liz Kreek, Petra Pardi, Abbey KerthArizona St. Saves: EB Keeve (13)Cal 14, UCSB 4
1 2 3 4 Final UCSB 0 1 1 2 4 Cal 4 4 3 3 14 UCSB Goals: Lauren Martin (2), Bryn Hudson, Samantha Murphy
UCSB Saves: Mackenzie Brokaw (10)Cal Goals: Dora Antal (5), Anna Illes (3), Genevieve Weed (2), Emily Loughlin, Melissa Hale, Victoria Williams, Meagan Smith
Cal Saves: Madeline Trabucco (6), Savanna Smith (5)
