SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – On a gorgeous sunny Wednesday afternoon, the No. 17 UC Santa Barbara women's water polo team faced off against the No. 1 team in the country, Stanford University. Coming off a big 12-3 victory over Virginia Military Institute on Tuesday, UCSB looked to carry its momentum over into Wednesday's meeting with the top team in the nation. 

In the first half, the Gauchos would hang tough with the Cardinal in large part due to a handful of impressive saves from goalkeeper Kenzi Snyder. The Santa Ana, Calif. native made tough save after save in the early going before Stanford was able to get on the board. 

Trailing three minutes into the second period, Kate Pipkin would help the Gauchos get on the board, finding Natalie Selin with room to work in front of the goal. Selin handled the pass and rose up to float the ball over the head of the Stanford keeper Isabel French.

Eventually, led by Team USA Senior National Team member Mackenzie Fischer, No. 1 Stanford managed to break through offensively and took a 6-1 lead into the half. 

In the third period, the Gauchos would find the back of the net once again as Selin dumped a pass into Sarah Snyder, who proceeded to whip a shot into the left corner of the goal. 

Becca Buck took over goalkeeper duties in the second half and halted five shots, to go along with K. Snyder's game-high six, giving UCSB 11 for the match. 

Fischer led the way for the Cardinal with five goals. 

UCSB (13-10) returns to Big West action against UC Irvine on the road this Saturday, Mar. 31 at 12:00 p.m.