DAVIS, Calif. - The 14th-ranked UC San Diego women's water polo team split its first two games of the UC Davis Shootout on Saturday afternoon in Davis. UCSD defeated UC Santa Cruz 17-6 as eight different Tritons scored. Natalie Hockett led the way with four goals while Nicole Afflerback added three. In the second game, UCSD lost to No. 15 UC Davis 6-5. The Tritons were within striking distance the entire game but could not pull out the victory. UCSD is back in action tomorrow with two more games against WWPA opponents. The Tritons face No. 20 Santa Clara and Colorado State on Sunday.
In the 17-6 win over UCSC, Hockett led the way with four goals and Afflerback had three. Flynn LaRochelle, Judy Emaus, Miho Umezawa and Nicole Hermann each added two. Sarah Bajorek and Sydney Gstettenbauer also scored.
Nicole Hermann's goal put UCSD ahead 1-0 over the Aggies, but UCD led 2-1 after the first quarter. LaRochelle's goal in the second quarter tied the game at 3-3, but UCD added a goal before half to lead 4-3. Hockett tied it with 5:08 in the third at 4-4, but UCD scored with :06 left in the quarter to lead going into the fourth. Michelle Perkins' goal with 3:41 remaining in the game pulled UCSD within 6-5, but the Tritons were unable to score a tying goal.
