March 19, 2011

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - In its first home game since late January, the No. 14 UCSB women's water polo team defeated visiting Bucknell, 10-7, on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Campus Pool.

With the win, UCSB improves to 14-8 on the season while the Bison fall to 8-8.

The Gauchos wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Kathryn Nelson converted a five-meter penalty shot, which was drawn by her sister, Rachel Nelson, less than a minute and a half into the game. Just over a minute later, Claire Buchanan was able to get inside water and lob the ball past Bison goalkeeper Brittany Connell to push the Gaucho lead to 2-0.

UCSB proceeded to draw four ejections across the final five minutes of the first quarter, but the Gauchos were unable to convert on their six-on-five opportunities. For the game, UCSB went just 3-for-9 in its six-on-fives.

On the fifth Bison ejection, the Gauchos were finally able to capitalize on the advantage as Bryce Winton stretched the Gaucho lead to 3-0 to open the second quarter. Bucknell was finally able to get on the scoreboard with a goal from Amanda Skonezney with 5:05 to go in the half, but consecutive goals from Winton and Michelle Beaudreau gave UCSB a 5-1 lead at halftime.

To open the second half, Molly Hafferkamp scored on a fast break and Winton scored her third of the game to push the UCSB lead to six goals at 7-1. After giving up four unanswered goals, Bucknell was able to convert on a Gaucho ejection with a goal from Julianne Valdes.

Goals from Selina Rivera and Kristin Kulakowski at the end of the third gave UCSB its biggest lead of the game at 9-2.

In the fourth quarter, Bucknell was able to go on a 5-1 run against the UCSB reserves. Hallie Kennan scored two of the Bison goals in the final stanza.

Winton led UCSB with a hat trick in the win. In the goal, Ruth Milne recorded 12 saves in the first three quarters and Chelsea Carrillo has three in the fourth. For the Bison, Brittany Connell recorded four saves and Rena Heim had five.

UCSB will play again on Sunday when it hosts Iona at 11 a.m. and Cal State San Bernardino at 1 p.m. Both games will be played at Campus Pool.

UCSB 10, Bucknell 7

Bucknell Goals: Julianne Valdes 2, Hallie Kennan 2, Amanda Skonezney, Tara Murao, Kandis Canonica.
Bucknell Saves: Brittany Connell 4, Rena Heim 5.

UCSB Goals: Bryce Winton 3, Kristin Kulakowski 2, Michelle Beaudreau, Selina Rivera, Claire Buchanan, Kathryn Nelson, Molly Hafferkamp.
UCSB Saves: Ruth Milne 12, Chelsea Carrillo 3.