STANFORD, Calif. — Aleix Aznar Beltran found the back of the net four times, but No. 3 Stanford handed the seventh-ranked Aggies their first loss in nine games on Sunday afternoon at Avery Aquatic Center. 

The first half was a largely back-and-forth affair, and the Aggies finished the first quarter down just two after two goals from Beltran and a score from Aaron Voggenthaler.

UC Davis maintained their position for much of the second period until the Cardinal forced a ball under on goalie Aaron Wilson as time expired in the half, granting Stanford a five-meter penalty shot, which was converted to put the Aggies down three, 9-6, halfway through.

That play proved to be a momentum shifter as Stanford came out hot in the third, scoring the first three goals of the second half to quickly jump ahead by six goals. 

The Aggies battled the rest of the way, but the deficit proved insurmountable, with the Cardinal finishing with a five goal win, 17-12.

Holden Neach registered a hat trick in the game, and Tyler Mrkaich added two of his own. 

UC Davis is back in action next week for a conference game against UC Irvine on Saturday, Oct. 28.