Anteaters hold off Aggies for tough conference win

DAVIS — The No. 9-ranked UC Irvine women’s water polo team held off No. 10-ranked UC Davis, 6-5, to open Big West Conference play Saturday at Schaal Aquatics Center.

Junior Erin Kiene recorded a steal in the final 26 seconds to give UCI the win.

The Anteaters (16-8, 1-0 in conference) never trailed in the match after senior Gianna Rossi and junior Kat Plummer each scored in the first four minutes to give UCI a 2-0 lead.

The Aggies would come back to tie the match at 2-2.

Rossi put UCI up, 3-2 with, 13 seconds remaining in the second period. UC Davis tied the match at 3-3 early in the third period before UCI capitalized on a pair of six-on-five goals and a goal from senior Julia Fancher, putting UCI up 6-3.

Rossi led all scorers with three goals in the match. Sophomore goalie Lauren Davis had 10 saves for UCI.

— From staff reports