CORONA DEL MAR, Calif. — UC Santa Barbara's Christina Mullane produced one of the best performances of her career against defending NCAA Women's Water Polo National Champions Stanford, leading the Gaucho offense with two goals and three assists as they gave the No. 4 Cardinal a run for their money. No. 13 Santa Barbara put eight past Stanford for just the second time in the month of February but ultimately fell, 12-8, in their opening game of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational. Goalkeeper Madison Walker had a big day as well, making 13 saves. Mullane's two goals and three assists are her highest point total against a Division I opponent in her career.
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FROM HEAD COACH SERELA KAY
"I'm proud of how the team battled today," Head Coach Serela Kay said. "We have an opportunity to compete against high level teams all weekend, which will be great preparation for opening Big West conference play next weekend."
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HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos went nearly goal-for-goal with the Cardinal through each of the first three quarters and only trailed by two heading into the final frame.
Mullane played a role in each of Santa Barbara's two first-quarter goals, scoring the first and assisting Imani Clemons on the second, which tied the game at the time. After Stanford scored right before the buzzer, Jojo Scheer was next to score, leveling the scores again with just over four minutes until halftime. The Cardinal did take the lead again before the interval, but the Gauchos kept themselves within reach. Cami Mras fired home before the break, and Mullane scored Santa Barbara's lone goal of the third quarter, bringing them back within two goals at the time.
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After both sides had only tallied one goal in the third, the fourth quarter erupted into a goal-fest. Stanford out-scored Santa Barbara, 5-3, in the frame to pull away, but Clemons (assisted by Mullane again), Mras and Juju Amaral contributed goals for the Gauchos.
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UP NEXT
Santa Barbara will face No. 13 Indiana in their next game at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 24. The Gauchos and Hoosiers will hit the water at 9:15 a.m. from UC Irvine's Anteater Aquatic Center. Live stats will be available through ucsbgauchos.com
