LA JOLLA, Calif. — A three goal Aggie lead disappeared in a flash as top seeded UC Irvine pulled off a four goal, fourth quarter rally to defeat UC Davis 11-10 in the Big West Championship Semifinal.
The Aggies and Anteaters traded goals throughout the first half, with UC Irvine striking first but UC Davis finishing the half with two straight to take a 5-4 lead into intermission.
After UC Irvine leveled the contest early in the third quarter, UC Davis responded with three straight goals to jump out to a commanding three goal lead. Aleix Aznar Beltran hit his patented off-speed no-look shot for the Aggies' sixth goal and Logan Anderson followed with the next two.
The Anteaters shifted momentum just before the end of the period with a goal from leading scorer Luka Kristic and built upon that in the fourth quarter.
Irvine scored five times in the final frame, including twice with under two minutes to go to tie and take an 11-10 lead.
The Aggies' final possession came up empty.
Logan Anderson and Will Nomura each had hat tricks, while Beltran finished with two scores.
With the loss comes the conclusion of five UC Davis careers as Aaron Voggenthaler, Aaron Wilson, Ben Fleming, Logan Anderson and Max Stryker are due for graduation. All five have left an indelible mark on the UC Davis men's water polo program and its regular success in recent years.
