Sanchez Sets New Scoring Record, Matadors Fall to UC Davis

Saturday, April 14

Northridge, CA

12:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

#8 UC Davis

Photo by: Paul Trafecanty

Sanchez Sets New Scoring Record, Matadors Fall to UC Davis

4/14/2018 6:01:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---On a day where Madeleine Sanchez set a new CSUN all-time career scoring record, No. 20 CSUN Water Polo (15-15, 0-4 BWC) fell to No. 8 UC Davis 11-6 on Saturday afternoon at Matador Pool. Sanchez netted two goals to move ahead of Allison Brookes' for the top spot in the CSUN record books. The senior attacker now stands alone with 223 career goals, the most in the team's 17-year history.

"It was a special day for Maddie and the program," said head coach Matt Warshaw. "Being the all-time leading scorer at CSUN is quite the accomplishment. She's not the type of person who'll ever talk about it. She's played alongside some talented teammates throughout her four years here and I'm really proud of her."

The teams went scoreless for nearly the first four minutes until Lindsey Garcia gave the Matadors a 1-0 lead at the 4:12 mark. The Aggies though would take control over the last three minutes. Paige scored two goals down the stretch while Chloe Robinson and Greta Kohlmoos also hit the back of the net to give UC Davis a 4-1 lead after eight minutes.

CSUN earned a power play at the 2:03 mark of the second period and cashed in to pull within two on a tally from Jennalyn Barthels. However, the Aggies went into the break ahead 5-2 as Carla Tocchini struck the net on an even-strength possession.

In the third period, the Matadors fell behind 6-2 before Sanchez hit the net on a power play near the six-minute mark. Both Amy Yule and Rachael Fusco scored in the third period but the Aggies remained in front as three different players all scored in the period.

After tying the Matadors' career scoring record in the third period, Sanchez would set a new mark in the final quarter. Earning a penalty shot chance, Sanchez skipped in a shot past Caitlin Golding for her 223rd career tally with the Matadors.

Sanchez had a chance to trim the lead to one on a break away but Golding made a timely save. The Aggies quickly extended the lead back to four (10-6) with back-to-back goals with a little over three minutes to play. Ariana Momen added to the UC Davis lead with an insurance goal in the final minute as the Aggies held on for the victory.

Senior Niki Van Vugt collected seven saves on the day while Katelyn Fairchild and Sanchez picked up two steals apiece. Ashlee Sellung notched two assists to lead the squad.

After breaking CSUN's scoring record, Sanchez is within reach of setting a new mark for goals in the Big West Conference. With two more goals this season, Sanchez would surpass Jessy Cardey (2011-14) of UC Irvine in the conference's record book.

CSUN wraps up the regular season on Sunday with an afternoon match against No. 5 Hawai'i. The match will start at noon. The Matadors will honor their seven-member senior class in a special pregame ceremony.

UCD - 4-1-3-3 = 11
CSUN - 1-1-3-1 = 6

UCD goal scorers: Virgil 3, Kohlmoos 2, Kutt, Portales, Robinson, Tocchini, Momen, Byrne
CSUN goal scorers: Sanchez 2 (48), Yule (16), Garcia (11), Barthels (9), Fusco (2)

UCD saves: Golding 3
CSUN saves: Van Vugt 7 (181)