DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis' Alicia Began scored with nine seconds remaining in regulation to push No. 11 UC Davis over No. 15 UC Santa Barbara, 9-8, in a thrilling Big West Conference women's water polo game at Schaal Aquatics Center on Saturday afternoon.
With the loss, UCSB drops to 18-13 overall and 2-2 in league games. The Aggies improve to 15-12 overall and 3-1 in Big West games, sealing the No. 2 seed into next weekend's conference tournament, which they host.
The game featured a total of six ties and two lead changes. After UC Davis climbed to a 3-2 lead through the first half, Rachel Nelson – who tallied a hat trick – tied the game with a shot from up top early in the second. Shelby Haroldson assisted freshman Lauren Martin on a goal at the 5:17 mark to give UCSB a one-goal advantage, but the Aggies answered with three straight to regain the lead.
Elsie Fullerton drew a five-meter penalty and Jessica Dunn converted the penalty shot to tie the game at 4-4. Carmen Eggert assisted Began inside for a goal less than a minute later, then Curran turned and fired one from two meters with 17 seconds in the half to make it 6-4.
Before the half, UC Davis was charged with a double exclusion and Bryce Winton scored on the rare 6-on-4 opportunity to cut the Aggie lead to 6-5 at the break.
Each team managed just one goal in the third. Nelson completed her hat trick with an outside shot with 5:01 on the clock, tying the game once again. Eggert responded for the Aggies with a power play goal just 35 seconds later.
The seesaw battle continued into the fourth. Kacey Creek tied the game at 8-8 with a outside shot. With the clock winding down, Eggert flipped the ball over to Began just beyond the five-meter area. She was fouled and quickly fired the free throw toward the left side of the cage and into the net for the game-winning goal.
UCSB will conclude regular season action at Pacific on Sunday at noon. A win against the Tigers will seal up the No. 3 seed in the Big West Conference Tournament.
UC Davis 9, UC Santa Barbara 8
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Final
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UCSB
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2
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3
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1
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8
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UC Davis
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3
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3
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1
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9
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UCSB Goals: Rachel Nelson 3, Molly Hafferkamp 1, Bryce Winton 1, Lauren Martin 1, Shelby Haroldson 1, Kacey Creek 1.
UCSB Saves: Ruth Milne 9.
UC Davis Goals: Jessica Dunn 2, Ariel Feeney 2, Alicia Began 2, Elsie Fullerton 1, Hannah Curran 1, Carmen Eggert 1.
UC Davis Saves: Riane Woods 2, Rachel Tatusko 5.
