Feb. 22, 2009

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - Senior Lindsay Kiyama and sophomore Lauren Seidemann each scored two goals to help No. 7 UC Davis protect an early lead in an 8-7 win over No. 14 Cal State Northridge at the UC Irvine Invitational women's water polo tournament at Corona Del Mar High School. The Aggies previously suffered an 11-7 loss to No. 12 UC Irvine to advance to Sunday's 11th-place game with the Matadors.

UC Davis now holds an 11-5 record for the season.

In Sunday's opener, junior Ashley Chandler led the Aggies with four goals, including a pair of 6-on-5 conversions in the fourth quarter. The Anteaters led for almost the entire first half, holding a 6-4 edge at the break, then extended their led to 9-4 after three quarters. UCI goalkeeper Morgan Vickers had half of her 10 saves in that pivotal third frame.

Chandler's third and fourth goals cut the deficit to 9-6, but the Aggies approached no closer. Sophomore Cortney Collyer and junior Kat Plummer responded with two even-strength goals to push the Anteater lead back to five, essentially sealing the victory

In Sunday afternoon's action, UC Davis crafted a 4-1 lead during the first nine minutes against CSUN, getting back-to-back Seidemann goals to start the second period. The Matadors closed the gap to 4-3 at the half, then tied the game on a Jessica Coy penalty shot midway through the third period.

CSUN sophomore Sydney Sonoda converted a 6-on-5 opportunity with 2:38 in the third to give her a team its first lead, but Kiyama immediately equalized the score on the next possession. Senior Sofia Patronas then put UC Davis back on top with a goal at 1:18, then sophomore Michelle Hook extended the lead to two in the opening minutes of the fourth period.

Senior driver Tara McGinley scored her second goal with 1:41 left in the game, but the Aggies clamped down defensively for the final 90 seconds to protect the win.

UC Davis takes a week off from competition before launching a three-week homestand, starting with a pseudo-tournament with Sonoma State, Cal State Bakersfield, Stanford and Santa Clara on March 7-8.

UC IRVINE INVITATIONAL WATER POLO TOURNAMENT
UC Davis games only.

GOALS - UCI: Caitlin Haskell 3, Kat Plummer 2, Erin Kiene 2, Gianna Rossi 1, Cortney Collyer 1, Ashling Taylor 1, Amy Riddering 1. UC Davis: Ashley Chandler 4, Christina Miyabe 1, Rachelle Smith 1, Carey Faber 1.

GOALIE SAVES - UCI: Morgan Vickers 10. UC Davis: Casey Hines 3.

GOALS - CSUN: Jessica Coy 2, Tara McGinley 2, Alison Pierce 1, Sydney Sonoda 1, Kristin McLaughlin 1. UC Davis: Lindsay Kiyama 2, Lauren Seideman 2, Dakotah Mohr 1, Sofia Patronas 1, Michelle Hook 1, Carey Faber 1.

GOALIE SAVES - CSUN: Jillian Stapf 6. UC Davis: Casey Hines 8.