UCSB opened its 2015 women’s water polo season with a dominant 16-1 win over Azusa Pacific and a hard fought 10-8 loss to No. 17 Michigan on Day One of the Winter Invitational.
Camila Schafer scored a hat trick in both contests to lead the Gauchos, while Mackenzie Brokaw put on an impressive display in goal during the season opener. UCSB’s 16 goals against the Cougars were the most they scored in a single match since they tallied 18 in a win over Villanova last season.
The Gauchos will continue their Winter Invitational play Saturday with an early match up against No. 2 UCLA at 10 a.m. at the Recreation Center pool. They will later host the Claremont-Mudd Scripps Athenas at the Campus Pool at 8 p.m.
Against No. 17 Michigan, UCSB fell behind 6-2 in the second half.
UCSB narrowed the gap in the second half by scoring six shots, creating a climatic ending. Freshman Camila Schafer would garner three goals, while Tess Wardle, Miranda Schrader, and Bryn Hudson each had one goal apiece to bring the Gauchos to within two. Michigan, however, held on to its lead and closed out the 10-8 victory.
