DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis women's water polo was unable to hold off No. 18 UC San Diego in its 10-9 defeat to the Tritons on Friday afternoon at Schaal Aquatics Center.
UC Davis (14-11, 2-2 Big West) held the lead until the halfway point in the third quarter, but UC San Diego would rally from behind to snatch the important conference victory.
Gianna Nocetti shined on a tough day for the Aggies, netting her third hat trick of the season.
Kelly Hungerford enjoyed a multi-goal game while dishing out a pair of assists, good for a team-high four points.
Madison Sparre turned in a solid performance as well with two goals to her name.
How It Happened
Grace Pelkey opened the scoring by converting on the Aggies' first power-play opportunity of the game. UC Davis quickly doubled the lead when
Noëlle Wijnbelt found the back of the cage at the 6:33 mark in the first period. The Tritons got one back via the power play, but Nocetti's delicate chip restored the two-goal lead after eight minutes played.
UC San Diego hit the Aggies for two straight goals to even things up at 3-3 before Sparre fired home to put her team back in front. The teams would trade goals in the dying minutes of the first half, as Hungerford grabbed her first goal of the game, to make the score 5-4 in favor of the hosts at the break.
The Tritons scored twice early in the third quarter to take their first lead. Despite Nocetti's leveling goal, two more UC San Diego goals would give the visitors a lead they would not surrender. The Aggies were unable to recover and the Tritons would edge the 10-9 win.
Up Next
The Aggies host Cal State Fullerton tomorrow at 12 p.m. inside Schaal Aquatics Center.
