SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The No. 15 UC Santa Barbara women's water polo (11-7, 1-0) team opened their Big West conference matches with a remarkable 8-7 win over No. 13 UC Davis on Saturday at UCSB Campus Pool. Freshman Jessie Porter led the team with three goals to defeat the Aggies.

The Gauchos came out ready to play as they took the lead 2-1 after the first quarter, with goals from freshman Samantha Murphy and senior Shelby Haroldson. However, going into the second quarter the Aggies didn't give up. UC Davis was able to tally three goals to the board, taking the lead 5-2 at half. 

UC Santa Barbara came back from the half fired up. Senior Ruth Milne kept the Aggies to a one-goal minimum in the third quarter. Meanwhile, freshmen Jessie Porter and Bryn Hudson scored two and one goals, respectfully. The Gauchos trailed the Aggies going into the fourth quarter 6-5. 

Both teams came out in the fourth quarter fighting to secure their first Big West conference win. The Gauchos started the quarter with a goal from senior Kacey Creek to tie the game. The teams went head to head as they each scored one more goal to keep the game tied 7-7 with 1:33 left in the game. With only ten seconds to spare, Jessie Porter scored an outstanding goal past the Aggies goalie to bring the Gauchos to their first conference win over the Aggies 8-7.

UCSB heads to Loyola Marymount University on Thursday, March 14, to continue their season against No. 14 LMU at Burns Recreation Center. 

UCSB 8, UC Davis 7

UCSB Goals: Jessie Porter 3, Kacey Creek 2, Shelby Haroldson, Samantha Murphy, Bryn Hudson UCSB Saves: Ruth Milne 6

UC Davis Goals: Carmen Eggert 2, Jessica Dunn 2, Hannah Curran 2, Alex Rawlinson
UC Davis Saves: Riane Woods 5