BLOOMINTON, IND. – After a statement win to open the tournament, the No. 14 UCSB women's water polo team split two games on Saturday, easily handling McKendree University before losing a close one to Indiana University in the Hoosier Invitational at Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center. The Gauchos snagged a victory in the first game of the Invitational, as they dominated in all facets of the game to run away from University of Toronto in a 23-0 shutout. With the win against McKendree, the Gauchos established a three game winning streak before the loss to Indiana broke it.
UCSB got off to a great start against McKendree, and rode the hot start to a 15-2 win in the first game of the day. Kate Pipkin got the ball rolling for the Gauchos, scoring the first goal of the day on a penalty shot just nineteen seconds into the game. This early goal sparked the UCSB offense, as they finished the first quarter up 5-0. Sarah Snyder scored two more in the quarter, Pipkin claimed her second score, while Sarah Kreser put one away to cap off a great start for the team.
The second period was more of the same for UCSB, although McKendree did manage to score their only two goals of the game. Shannon Moran and Mollie Simmons converted two consecutive powerplay chances to open the quarter. Snyder and Kreiser both scored to make it 9-0 with 4:05 left, but the shutout ended there, as McKendree ended the Gaucho's impressive defensive span of not allowing a goal for almost a game and a half. Kreiser was not done scoring for the half, as she answered the McKendree goal with two more or her own, giving her four for the game. The Bearcats would score once more, but the Gauchos went into halftime leading 11-2 after a very complete first half on both offense and defense.
UCSB cruised to an easy win after a strong first half provided them with some cushion. Even while leading by such a big margin, the Gauchos did not relent on either end. Natalie Selin scored her first of the game, and then served up an assist to Simmons to make it 13-2 with 2:02 left in the third. Sami Stebbins got in on the action, and scored to end the third. Snyder scored the final goal of the game for either team, as the Gauchos cruised to another victory, topping McKendree 15-2 in the first game of the day.
Kreiser and Snyder led the attack for UCSB, contributing four goals each, while Simmons and Pipkin added two apiece to the total. Selin, Moran, and Stebbins each scored one in the contest. Becca Buck had a strong day for UCSB in the cage, notching ten saves to hold the Bearcats to two goals.
The second game of the day was bound to provide more of a challenge for the streaking Gauchos, as they faced the home team Hoosiers in the second game of the day for both teams. The Gauchos struck first, as Snyder continued her strong offensive day with an early goal. Indiana was determined to hold fast at home, as they responded with a goal of their own shortly after. Emily Martin put UCSB back on top with an inside goal assisted by Pipkin, but Indiana tied it up to end the first period. The teams were all locked up at 2-2 to end the quarter.
UCSB's offense finally started to cool off in the second quarter of the second game, and Indiana capitalized on the offensive lull. They scored two unasnwered goals to kick off the period and led 4-2 with 4:32 remaining. The Gauchos did not score in the second, but still only trailed by two going into the break.
Indiana's hard play seemed to be wearing on the Gauchos, and they scored again to make it 5-2 early in the third. Just as the Hoosiers appeared to begin pulling away, the Gauchos put together a huge scoring run to dramatically shift the match momentum. Kate Coski scored a crucial goal, proving the Gauchos still had some life in them followed by a Simmons transition score to cut the lead to just one. The Gauchos did not stop there. Kreiser tied it up, and Snyder put UCSB back on top for the first time since the first quarter. The Hoosiers were held scoreless for the remainder of the quarter, and the Gauchos held a 6-5 lead entering the final period of play.
Holding onto a slim lead, the Gauchos tried to muster another solid quarter defensively, but Indiana was determined to claim another win at home. The Hoosiers scored early to tie it up and converted a powerplay goal to retake the lead. UCSB fought hard to get back on top, but Indiana's defense held fast. The Gauchos failed to score in the quarter and fell to Indiana 7-6.
Snyder led the way once again for UCSB, scoring two goals in the close contest. Kreiser, Simmons, Coski, and Martin all scored one apiece. Kenzi Snyder made several big saves to keep the game close en route to seven saves and a steal.
UCSB continues their run in the Hoosier Invitational on Sunday where they will face off against Iona and Harvard to cap off a busy weekend.
