CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – Water Polo could not overcome #15 UC Santa Barbara, being defeated 17-11 by the Gauchos in their second matchup of the Crimson Classic.
The game started out back and forth as both teams put up two a piece within the first four minutes of action. The Gauchos scored three unanswered to end the first quarter which proved to be the difference maker in the contest.
During the next two quarters, the Wildcats were outscored 8-6, making for a much closer game as it went along, as the 'Cats made multiple runs at closing the deficit.
Ella Mattocks recorded a hat trick, including two backhanded goals in her first collegiate action in her home state.
Tiffany Maguire,
Layla Canales, and
Riley Hull all scored two goals coming on the combination of a man-up goal and a made penalty shot.
Emmie Mallory continued her dominant stretch, scoring in her sixth consecutive game.
For the second game in a row, Hull managed to draw four exclusions.
The Wildcats drop to 5-5 on the season after winning their first four. They have only faced one opponent that has not been ranked or received votes in the CWPA Weekly Polls since February 1. These tests will allow them to bring the tenacity they have shown in these games to conference play in mid-March.
Gracin Kerry recorded nine saves, as well as a penalty save in net for the Wildcats.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats have one more game in the Crimson Classic. They will be facing off against #21 Brown University in a rematch of their contest last Sunday where Villanova held a lead after the third quarter.
SOCIAL
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