#11 UC Davis Claims 10-4 Victory Over #18 Cal State Northridge
Davis, Calif. – UC Davis, ranked eleventh in the nation, showed no mercy on Sunday afternoon as the Aggies handled #18 Cal State Northridge, 10-4, in a Big West Conference game at the Schaal Aquatics Center.
The game was tied at 1-1 after the first period, but UC Davis showed its muscle by outscoring the visiting Matadors, 7-2, in the next two periods. Five of UCD's seven goals were scored in the third period.
The victory was UCD's eleventh in the past 12 games to increase its season mark to 16-12 overall and in second place in the conference with a 4-1 mark. Cal State Northridge dropped its fourth straight contest to fall to 15-19 overall and 1-4 in league play.
#18 Cal State Northridge (15-19, 1-4 BWC) 1 0 2 1 = 4
#11 UC Davis (16-12, 4-1 BWC) 1 2 5 2 = 10
CSUN Scorers: Melissa Doll 1, Jessica Goforth 1, Lindsy Nelson 1, Heidi Pettinger 1
UCD Scorers: Carmen Eggert 3, Alicia Began 2, Kathryn Bailey 1, Jessica Dunn 1, Ariel Feeney 1, Allyson Hansen 1, Keelia Houston 1
Goalie Saves: Dana Harvey (CSUN) 3; Rachel Tatusko (UCD) 7
The UC Davis victory assured the Aggies of the #2 seed in the upcoming Big West Water Polo Tournament (April 27-29) at UCD's Ted & Rand Schaal Aquatics Center … UC Davis finished second during the regular conference season at 4-1 … UC Irvine, with a 4-0 mark, has clinched the #1 seed … The Anteaters close out their regular season on April 19 against Long Beach State … UC Irvine and UC Davis will receive byes into the semifinals and need only two wins to become the Big West champion … Cal State Northridge, Pacific, UC Santa Barbara and Long Beach State are the lower seeds and must win three times in three days (April 27-29) to claim the title … The Big West Tournament champion will receive an automatic qualification bid to the NCAA Championship, which will be played May 11-13 at the Aztec Aquaplex in San Diego … Nine teams will compete at the NCAA Tournament … Host San Diego State will become an official member of the Big West Conference in 2013.
The Big West Conference Standings (as of 4/15/12)
BWC Overall
1. UC Irvine 4-0 21-6
2. UC Davis 4-1 16-12
3. UC Santa Barbara 3-2 19-13
4. Long Beach State 1-3 11-14
5. Cal State Northridge 1-4 15-19
5. Pacific 1-4 10-16