UCLA
Santa Clara
No. 3 UCLA Improves to 12-0 with Two More Victories
February 09, 2019 | Women's Water Polo
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LOS ANGELES -- No. 3 UCLA improved to 12-0 on the year with a pair of wins at the Triton Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Triton Pool on the campus of UC San Diego. The Bruins began the day with a 17-2 win over Santa Clara (2-3) and then completed play with a 6-3 win over No. 11 UC Davis (5-5).
In the win over Santa Clara, the Bruins were led by freshman Ava Johnson, who scored a season-high four goals as 11 different Bruins got in the scoring column. Redshirt senior Grace Reego, junior Maddie Musselman and freshman Bella Baia each scored two goals. Senior Carlee Kapana got the starting nod in the cage for the Bruins and played just the first period, tallying three saves while allowing one power play goal. Sophomore Jahmea Bent played the final three periods and registered eight saves while allowing just one power play score.
The Bruins jumped out to a 4-1 lead by the end of the first period behind two scores from Johnson (power play and two meters). Senior Rachel Whitelegge (front court) and sophomore Lexi Liebowitz (power play) each chipped in a goal in the opening stanza.
It was all UCLA in the second period, 5-0, as the Bruins built a 9-1 lead by halftime. Five different Bruins scored one goal in the second, which included scores from Reego (counter), Musselman (counter), freshman Val Ayala (power play), freshman Skylar Savar (power play), and Johnson (two meters).
UCLA also won the third period, 4-1, to extend its lead to 13-2 heading into the the fourth. Musselman scored her second (front court), as did Baia (power play) in the third. Senior Kelsey Blacker (two meters) and freshman Bella Wentzel (front court) also found the back of the net for scores in the third quarter.
The Bruins posted another shutout in the fourth quarter while tacking on four more scores. Johnson netted her fourth (two meters) while Reego (front court) and Baia (counter) each scored their second of the game. Junior Emily Skelly chipped in a goal from the front court to help provide the 17-2 final.
Santa Clara vs. No. 3 UCLA (Triton Invitational - First Round)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Santa Clara | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| No. 3 UCLA | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 17 |
6x5 - UCLA - 5/8 - SC - 2/9
Penalties - UCLA - 0/1 - SC - 0/0
SC Goals: Hannah Buck 1, Hailey Eberle 1
SC Saves: n/a
UCLA Goals: Ava Johnson 4, Grace Reego 2, Maddie Musselman 2, Bella Baia 2, Rachel Whitelegge 1, Kelsey Blacker 1, Val Ayala 1, Skylar Savar 1, Bella Wentzel 1, Emily Skelly 1, Lexi Liebowitz 1
UCLA Saves: Jahmea Bent 8, Carlee Kapana 3
In the win over the UC Davis Aggies, the Bruins were led by junior Maddie Musselman, who scored four of the Bruins' six goals. Redshirt senior Grace Reego and freshman Ava Johnson each scored one goal for UCLA while senior Carlee Kapana started in goal for UCLA, playing most of the game, tallying nine saves while allowing one score from the front court. Sophomore Jahmea Bent came on in relief with 5:08 remaining in the fourth quarter, recording two stops while allowing two scores.
UCLA led 2-1 at the end of the first period with Musselman scoring both goals in the period (penalty shot and power play).
The Bruins extended their lead to 5-1 at halftime, pitching a shutout in the second quarter. Musselman added two more goals in the period (front court and counter) and Johnson scored from two meters.
After a scoreless third period for both teams, Reego added an insurance goal on a power play and the Aggies scored twice in the fourth to provide the 6-3 final.
The Bruins return to action tomorrow in the semifinals of the UCSD Triton Invitational at 12:30 p.m. PT at Triton Pool against No. 6 UC Irvine.
No. 11 UC Davis vs. No. 3 UCLA (Triton Invitational - Quarterfinals)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| No. 11 UC Davis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| No. 3 UCLA | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
6x5 - UCLA - 3/9 - UCD - 0/5
Penalties - UCLA - 1/1 - UCD - 0/0
UCD Goals: Chloe Robinson 2, Noelle Wijnbelt 1
UCD Saves: n/a
UCLA Goals: Maddie Musselman 4, Grace Reego 1, Ava Johnson 1
UCLA Saves: Carlee Kapana 9, Jahmea Bent 2
