LA JOLLA, Calif. - Trailing by just two at halftime, the 10th-ranked UC San Diego women's water polo team allowed six second-half goals to third-ranked defending national champion Stanford and fell by a final score of 11-5, Sunday at Canyonview Aquatic Center.
UCSD saw its 11-game win streak snapped and dropped to 18-7, with the Cardinal improving to 14-2.
The Tritons started well, getting the first two goals of the game for an early 2-0 lead. Senior attacker Julia Kirkland was able to find the back of the cage on a lob over the outstretched arms of Cardinal goalie Julia Hermann only 38 seconds into the contest. Redshirt junior two-meter defender Alexis Wieseler struck next with the assist coming from sophomore utility Kayla Fedler. Stanford closed the opening quarter with two scores to tie, 2-2.
The Cardinal scored two more to begin the second period to create a two-goal margin. Senior attacker Laurel Kistler was able to answer with a powerplay goal from outside five-meters to make it a one-goal game. Stanford was able to strike with 36 seconds left as UCSD went into halftime down 5-3.
The Cardinal put away the first goal of the second half on a five-meter penalty shot. Kistler then found Fedler for a score as the Tritons cut the gap to two. Stanford was able to score with one second left in the third frame, on a counter attack, as UCSD trailed 7-4.
The Cardinal put the game away in the fourth quarter with four consecutive, three on six-on-five situations, for a seven-goal lead. Kirkland rifled one home with 32 seconds as the Tritons were defeated by six scores.
Kirkland was UCSD's leading scorer with two goals. Senior goalie Courtney Miller amassed three saves. Dani Jackovich, Katie Dudley, Shannon Cleary and Jordan Raney all put away two each for Stanford. Hermann compiled 11 saves.
On Spring Break this week, the Tritons next travel to Hawaii for a trio of games. UCSD will face CSU Bakersfield on March 24, UC Irvine on March 25 and Hawai'i on March 26. All games will be held at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex on the campus of Hawai'i.
BOX SCORE
UCSD 2 1 1 1 - 5
STAN 2 3 2 4 - 11
Goals
UCSD: Julia Kirkland 2, Laurel Kistler 1, Alexis Wieseler 1, Kayla Fedler 1
STAN: Dani Jackovich 2, Katie Dudley 2, Shannon Cleary 2, Jordan Raney 2, Gupreet Sohi 1, Jamie Neushel 1, Madison Berggren 1
Saves
UCSD: Courtney Miller 3
STAN: Julia Hermann 11
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