Thousand Oaks – The UC Santa Barbara women’s water polo team defeated Chapman University and Villanova on Saturday in the second day of the Cal Lutheran Tournament.
UCSB began the last day of the Cal Lutheran Tournament with a pair of morning games, beginning with a matchup against Chapman University. Freshman Carly Christian started off the game for the Gauchos with a quick goal, followed by Junior Lauren Martin scoring two goals of her own. Freshman Jenna Solberg concluded the first quarter scoring another goal, leaving it 4-0 Gauchos going into the second. The second quarter was overpowered by Gaucho offense, senior Jade Wentz-Fitzgerald, junior Lauren Martin, sophomores Samantha Murphy and Mackenzie Baber, and freshman Carly Christian all added a goal on the board for the Gauchos. Freshman Brenna Thomas shinned in the second quarter, scoring two goals of her own making the score 11-0 at half-time.
The Gauchos proved their strong defensive skills as well, as Sophomore goalie Mackenzie Brokaw began the first half with a shut out. The strong Freshman goalie, Devon Gasparini let only one goal in for Fresno Pacific, as the Gauchos offense continued with another two goals for Brenna Thomas and a goal a piece for Lauren Martin and Samantha Murphy. Concluding the fourth quarter was a shutout by Devon Gasparini and the Gaucho defense. Freshman Mackenzie Baldridge was able to get a goal on the board for the Gauchos, as well as Jade Wentz-Fitzgerald scoring one last goal. In the end, UC Santa Barbara used their teamwork to earn the 17-1 win over Fresno Pacific.
The Gauchos quickly headed into their last game of the tournament against Villanova. The first quarter started quickly with two shot and goals by Lauren Martin and Claryann Olofsson-Loo. With the Gauchos leading 5-1 going into the second quarter, Freshman Megan Linder was able to score her first goal of the tournament, ending the the first half with the Gauchos up 9-2.
Devon Gasparini continued to defend the goal, as Sophomore Michelle Dunn and Freshman Rachel Vaughn-Hulburt also were able to score their first goals of the tournament. Junior goalie Genevieve Feiner started the fourth quarter in the goal as impressive as Gasparini and Brokaw, only allowing one goal to be scored by Villanova and leading the Gauchos to their second victory of the day with an 18-5 victory over Villanova.
BOX SCORES
UCSB 17, CHAPMAN 1
1 2 3 4 Final UCSB 4 7 4 2 17 CHAPMAN 0 0 1 0 1 UCSB Goals: Thomas 4, Martin 4, Murphy 2, Wentz-Fitzgerald 2, Christian 2, Baber 1, Solberg 1, Baldridge 1
UCSB Saves: Brokaw 8, Gasperini 3Chapman Goals: Quincy 1
Chapman Saves: Spicer 9
UCSB 18, Villanova 5
1 2 3 4 Final UCSB 5 4 5 4 18 Villanova 2 2 0 1 5 UCSB Goals: Shore 2, Hudson 2, Olofsson-Loo 2, Smith 2, Linder 1, Schradar 1, Dunn 1, Baldridge 1, Baber 1, Vaughn-Hulbert 1, Wentz-Fitzgerald 1, Christian 1
UCSB Saves: Gasparini 5, Feiner 1LMU Goals: Garrity 2, Shibata 1, Edwards 1, Ng 1
LMU Saves: Moore 6, Perry 5
