UCLA
Pacific
No. 5 UCLA Doubles Up No. 11 Pacific, 14-7
January 25, 2020 | Women's Water Polo
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- No. 5 UCLA (5-1) used a dominant defensive first period and an offensive explosion in the second to double up No. 11 Pacific (1-1) in the first game of the Michigan Invitational on Saturday morning at the Canham Natatorium. The Bruins improved to 25-0 all-time against the Pacific Tigers.
The Bruins were led by a hat trick from freshman Abbi Hill, the second of her young career, while five other Bruins scored multiple goals in the win. Junior Jahmea Bent got the starting nod and played the first half, tallying six saves while surrendering three goals. Freshman Quinn Winter played the second half, recording seven saves while allowing four scores.
UCLA led 4-0 at the end of the first period. The Bruins spent the first quarter scoring from the front court as junior Lexi Liebowitz (6:48), freshman Hannah Palmer (4:01) and sophomore Bella Baia (3:15) all found the back of the net. Liebowitz scored her second of the game (5:06) on a counter.
The Bruins exploded for seven goals on 10 shots in the second period. Five different players scored in the period with Palmer picking up her second of the contest (7:39) from the front court. Senior Emily Skelly scored her first on a power play (6:54) to put UCLA up 6-0. Baia's second of the game came on a penalty shot that was drawn by sophomore Ava Johnson (6:02). Then sophomore Val Ayala drew a penalty shot (4:04) that was converted by Hill to put the Bruins up 8-2. Hill scored her second of the game from the front court on UCLA's next possession (3:21) to extend the lead to 9-2. After the Tigers scored on a 6-on-5 opportunity, junior Roxy Wheaton scored back-to-back goals (power play at 2:11 and front court at 0:39) to give UCLA an 11-3 lead at the break.
Both teams battled to a 2-2 tie in the third period. Hill completed her hat trick with a goal from set off a nice feed from sophomore Katrina Drake (5:27). Then Drake scored a power play goal (3:30) on a pass from Palmer to help UCLA take a 13-5 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Tigers won the fourth period, 2-1, with the Bruins' offense on shutdown mode, attempting just four shots. Skelly scored the only goal for the Bruins in the period, her second power play goal of the game (4:40) with freshman Fiona Kuesis picking up the assist. Savannah Fitzgerald scored both goals for the Tigers in the last stanza, providing the 14-7 final.
UCLA returns to action later today when it takes on No. 7 Michigan (2-2) at 3:15 p.m. PT at the Canham Natatorium.
No. 5 UCLA vs. No. 11 Pacific (Game Six - Michigan Invitational)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| No. 11 Pacific | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| No. 5 UCLA | 4 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
6x5 - UCLA - 3/9 - PAC - 4/12
Penalties - UCLA - 2/2 - PAC - 0/0
PAC Goals: Savannah Fitzgerald 3, Ana Martinez do Amaral 2, Emma Myall 1, Lucy Davis 1
PAC Saves: Samantha Pfaff 6
UCLA Goals: Abbi Hill 3, Hannah Palmer 2, Bella Baia 2, Lexi Liebowitz 2, Emily Skelly 2, Roxy Wheaton 2, Katrina Drake 1
UCLA Saves: Quinn Winter 7, Jahmea Bent 6
