UCLA
Iona
No. 2 UCLA Defeats Iona, 16-4
January 18, 2020 | Women's Water Polo
SOCIAL MEDIA: WWP on Twitter | WWP on Facebook | WWP on Instagram
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- No. 2 UCLA (3-1) led 9-1 at halftime and cruised to a 16-4 win over Iona (1-2) on Saturday afternoon at the UCSB Winter Invitational at UCSB's Recreation Center. The Bruins improved to 3-0 all-time against the Gaels.
The Bruins were led by a hat trick from sophomore Val Ayala. Freshman Quinn Winter got the starting nod and played the first half, tallying five saves while surrendering only one goal. Junior Jahmea Bent played the second half, registering five saves while allowing three scores.
UCLA jumped out to a 4-1 lead at the end of the first period, scoring all four goals at even strength. Ayala got things going with a counter score, then seniors Brooke Maxson and Emily Skelly and freshman Hannah Palmer added strikes from the front court to get the Bruins' offense rolling.
The Bruins would tack on another five goals while pitching a shutout in the second period. Ayala scored her second of the game on another counter and another four different Bruins would find the back of the net in the second frame. Redshirt freshman Alex Peros and freshman Abbi Hill would each score from the front court while sophomores Bella Baia and Ava Johnson would score on counters to help the Bruins lead 9-1 at the break.
UCLA would win the third period, 5-1, to take a 14-2 lead into the fourth quarter. Sophomore Bella Wentzel would score from the front court, as would Maxson, for her second goal of the contest. Ayala would complete her hat trick and Hill would net her second of the game, both on five meter penalty shots. Skelly would end the scoring in the third with her second score of the game from the front court.
Iona would battle for a 2-2 tie in the fourth quarter to provide the 16-4 final. Two different Bruins would score in the final stanza, bringing the total to 11 different players to score in the contest. Sophomore Skylar Savar would score from set and freshman Fiona Kuesis would score the first of her Bruin career with UCLA's only power play goal of the game.
UCLA returns to action on Sunday, Jan. 19, when it concludes play in the UCSB Winter Invitational with OUAZ (Ottawa University - Arizona) at 11:00 a.m. PT at UCSB's Campus Pool.
No. 2 UCLA vs. Iona College (Game Four)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Iona College | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| No. 2 UCLA | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 16 |
6x5 - UCLA - 1/4 - IONA - 2/6
Penalties - UCLA - 2/2 - IONA - 0/0
IONA Goals: Jordan Van Reeken 4
IONA Saves: n/a
UCLA Goals: Val Ayala 3, Abbi Hill 2, Brooke Maxson 2, Emily Skelly 2, Fiona Kuesis 1, Hannah Palmer 1, Bella Wentzel 1, Bella Baia 1, Alex Peros 1, Ava Johnson 1, Skylar Savar 1
UCLA Saves: Quinn Winter 5, Jahmea Bent 5
