IRVINE, Calif. - The UC San Diego women's water polo team nearly upset No. 11 UC Irvine in a 9-8 loss to the Anteaters at the Anteater Aquatics Complex on Saturday afternoon. UCSD spotted UCI a 2-0 lead after the first quarter but two, 3-1 UCSD runs helped to tie the game at 6-6. UCI and UCSD alternated goals before UCI scored the game winner with 2:39 remaining in the final period. Kirsten Bates and Hanalei Crowell scored three goals apiece to lead the Tritons. UCSD falls to 2-8 on the season.

The Anteaters took a 2-0 lead in the opening period. UCSD went on a 3-1 run to tie the match at 3-3 with 2:10 left in the half. UCI added two more goals in the final two minutes to lead 5-3 at halftime. The Tritons had another 3-1 run to tie the match at 6-6 with 7:14 left in the fourth period. The teams would then alternate goals with UCI taking a one goal lead three times with the eventual winning goal coming with 2:39 remaining.

Senior Kat Plummer had four goals to lead all scorers in the match. Sophomore keeper Morgan Vickers had six saves for UCI. Markayla Quane had eight saves for UCSD.

Also scoring goals for UCSD was Stephanie Heinrich and Felicia Orozco.

UCSD is back in action on Saturday when it travels to WWPA rival Loyola Marymount. First sprint is set for 12:00 p.m. in Los Angeles.