TEMPE, Ariz. — The UC Santa Barbara Women's Water Polo team wrapped up their weekend at the ASU Invitational with a 10-7 win over Marist on Sunday, led by Emily Ferguson's three-goal day. Christina Mullane also contributed a goal for the Gauchos, claiming sibling bragging rights over her younger sister Alyssa, a freshman on the Marist team.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
A back-and-forth first quarter finished with the Red Foxes ahead, despite goals from Mary Beth Heffelfinger and Juju Amaral for the Gauchos. The teams continued to trade goals in the second quarter, but this time it was Santa Barbara striking first and last in the frame, out-scoring Marist, 4-2, over the eight-minute period. Ferguson scored her first goal of the day to get things started, then Aidan Flynn, Cami Mras and Drew Halvorson all tacked on, with Halvorson's goal coming just 30 seconds before halftime and putting the Gauchos up, 6-5, at the break.
 
After the interval, Santa Barbara came out firing, scoring three goals in the third quarter, while simultaneously holding Marist scoreless. Madison Walker played a major role in the latter feat, saving a five-meter penalty shot. Ferguson scored her second goal of the day right out of halftime, then Mullane added her tally at the four-minute mark and Isabel Valaika fired home three seconds before the end of the quarter to make it a 9-5 Gaucho lead.
 
Ferguson completed her hat-trick with six minutes left in the fourth, providing an insurance goal. The Red Foxes did score twice in the final two minutes, but by then it was too little, too late, and the Gauchos secured their ninth win of the season.
 
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will take next weekend off before returning to action at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, Feb. 23-25, at UC Irvine. The Gauchos' opponents and game times at the tournament are yet to be announced.