LA JOLLA, Calif. — The UC Davis offense came alive on Saturday, scoring 17 goals, helping lead the Aggies to an instant classic overtime win on the road against No. 11 UC San Diego.
Grace Pelkey tied a career high with five goals, including the game winner, while
Kelly Hungerford dished out a personal best seven assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Aggies jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, the largest by any time throughout the tightly contested game, behind two goals from Pelkey and a score by Chelsea Johnson. Sadie Henry added another score before the period ended to help guide the Aggies in the quarter break ahead, 4-3.
The Tritons opened the second quarter with two straight goals, but the Aggies had a response as Sadie Henry and Johnson each put in scores. UC San Diego score their eighth goal of the game with two minutes remaining in the half, but the Liberty Massman finished off a powerplay chance to bring the Aggies within one midway through.
Bridget Miller fired in two scores coming out of the half before Hungerford found the back of the net to restore the Aggie lead. UC San Diego quickly replied with two goals of their own, taking an 11-10 advantage into the final quarter.
Pelkey and Tess Fundter ripped off scores on back-to-back possessions to begin the fourth quarter, retaking the lead for UC Davis. Henry and Massman each scored to counteract two Triton goals, giving the Aggies a 14-13 lead with three minutes to go.
After a stretch of scoreless play, the Aggies looked to have the win secured following a defensive stop with less than 30 seconds remaining on the game clock. In an effort to kill the clock, Pelkey swam along the sideline, but was relentlessly pressured by the UC San Diego defense, causing the Aggies to call a timeout with 19 seconds to go.
The ball found its way to goalie Nellie McAdams who planned to drain the rest of the clock, until pressure by UC San Diego's Kendall Thomas knocked the ball out and into the goal, sending the game into overtime.
Miller put in a score to begin overtime, and Pelkey finished the first three minutes with a goal to give UC Davis a 16-15 lead.
UC San Diego scored on their first possession in the second overtime period, and both sides remained deadlocked at 16. Pelkey drew an exclusion with 17 seconds on the clock, and the Aggies called timeout to draw up a final play.
With two seconds to go, Hungerford swung the ball to Pelkey, who rifled in the game-winning shot.
NOTABLE
- 17 goals is the most UC Davis has scored against a ranked opponent since 2018, when the Aggies defeated No. 23 Fresno State 18-9.
- The Aggies and Tritons combined to score 33 goals, the most ever combined goals in a game in program history.
- Hungerford's seven assists are the most by an Aggie in a single game.
- Following her five score outing, Pelkey has scored 98 career goals.
UP NEXT
The Aggies have a short turnaround and will travel to Fullerton for the regular season finale against Cal State Fullerton at 12:00 p.m. tomorrow.
