IRVINE, Calif. — The No. 15 UC Santa Barbara Women's Water Polo team returned to winning ways on Saturday, winning 7-4 over Concordia Irvine in their final non-conference matchup of the season. Christina Mullane and Annie Kuester both had team-high three-point nights, with Mullane tallying a pair of goals and an assist while Kuester did so with a goal and two assists.
 
FROM HEAD COACH SERELA KAY
"Today everyone played, and we had an opportunity to work on game situations," Kay said. "Concordia held on strong and gave us a good fight."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos controlled the game and did not trail. Isabel Valaika opened the scoring in the first quarter, and Aidan Flynn tacked a second goal on before the first buzzer. Concordia did fight back in the second quarter, scoring a pair of goals in the frame, but Valaika tacked on her second goal of the day to keep Santa Barbara in front, 3-2, at the half.
 
The Gauchos out-scored the Golden Eagles, 2-1, in both the third and fourth quarters to seal victory. Mullane tallied a goal in each quarter, with Imani Clemons tallying in the third and Kuester joining Mullane as goal-scorers in the fourth.
 
UP NEXT
Santa Barbara returns home for the final match of their three-games-in-three-days stretch on Sunday, April 7, when they host No. 12 UC San Diego at Dos Pueblos High School. The Gauchos and Tritons will face off at noon, with Team USA to play Australia afterward. Admission to both games will be free.