Score: UC Davis 12, UC San Diego 11
Location: La Jolla, Calif. (Canyonview Aquatic Center)
Records: UC Davis 11-12 (3-2), UC San Diego 9-11 (2-4)
LA JOLLA, Calif. — No. 16 UC Davis women's water polo secured a hard-fought 12-11 upset over No. 15 UC San Diego in a highly anticipated Big West showdown at the Canyonview Aquatic Center on Friday evening. In a battle that came down to the final buzzer, the Aggies maintained a narrow lead throughout a relentless fourth quarter to claim their first regulation victory over the Tritons since 2022.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Liberty Massman ignited the Aggie offense in the opening minute, converting a power-play opportunity off an Ashley Wallin assist to take a 1-0 lead.
- Sadie Henry doubled the advantage shortly after with an even-strength goal off a Madison Sparre assist to push the cushion to 2-0.
- UC San Diego responded with a five-meter penalty conversion to cut the deficit to 2-1 midway through the opening frame.
- Gianna Nocetti immediately answered by burying a five-meter penalty shot of her own to reclaim a two-goal lead at 3-1.
- The Tritons orchestrated a quick 2-0 scoring run to momentarily jump ahead and take their first lead of the night at 4-3.
- Ali Giusti leveled the match late in the first period, firing home a shot off a Margo Tempel assist to make it 4-4.
- UC San Diego converted a penalty shot in the final seconds of the first to keep the score tied 4-4 heading into the second quarter.
- Lillie Vehling capitalized on an Ashley Wallin assist early in the second to keep the game in a dead heat at 5-5.
- The Tritons found the back of the cage midway through the period to briefly move back into the lead at 6-5.
- Lillie Vehling struck again with her second even-strength goal of the day to tie the contest once more at 6-6.
- Madison Sparre delivered a massive momentum shift just before the break, scoring with only 18 seconds left in the half to send UC Davis into the locker room with a 7-6 lead.
- Liberty Massman opened the third quarter with a quick strike to extend the UC Davis advantage to 8-6.
- UC San Diego answered back with an even-strength goal to pull within a single score at 8-7.
- Gianna Nocetti deposited her second goal of the night off a Sparre assist to push the score to 9-7.
- The Tritons responded with a quick goal of their own to keep the pressure on at 9-8.
- Sadie Henry capitalized on a power-play opportunity to give the Aggies a 10-8 cushion with four minutes left in the third.
- The Tritons mounted a 2-0 run late in the frame to erase the deficit and level the match at 10-10.
- Gianna Nocetti secured her hat trick with a crucial power-play goal in the final minute of the third to give Davis an 11-10 edge.
- Madison Sparre provided what would be the decisive blow early in the fourth quarter, finding the back of the net to give the Aggies a 12-10 cushion.
- The Tritons managed to pull within one at the 2:23 mark of the final frame, setting up a defensive standoff for the remainder of the game.
- Eva Stein anchored the defense with 10 total saves, including a massive stop at the horn to deny the equalizer and secure the 12-11 victory.
UP NEXT: The Aggies continue their Southern California road trip tomorrow, Saturday, Mar. 28, for a neutral-site matchup against Brown in La Jolla at 11:00 a.m. PT. UC Davis will then travel to Fullerton on Sunday, Mar. 29, to close out the weekend with a Big West conference clash against Cal State Fullerton at 12:00 p.m. PT.
ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS:
UC Davis, the No. 2 ranked public university by the Wall Street Journal, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked No. 1 in Agriculture and Forestry as well as No. 1 in Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.
For more information, visit
https://ucdavisaggies.com/.
