March 10, 2006
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The No. 8 Arizona State University water polo team did not start its weekend road trip the way it had hoped as the Sun Devils were upset by No. 10 UC Santa Barbara, 6-5, Friday afternoon in Santa Barbara, Calif. The loss halted a four-game winning streak for the Sun Devils and dropped them to 10-4 overall on the season while slipping to 2-1 in the MPSF following their first conference defeat of 2006. The host Gauchos improved to 9-9 overall and 2-4 in the league.
The Sun Devils struck first as Addison Doud tallied the first of her three goals in the game to put the visitors on top, 1-0. But the Gauchos responded with a pair of goals to close out the first quarter of play with the lead, 2-1. In the second stanza, Doud went on the offensive and was rewarded as she continued to draw kick-outs (seven in all during the game) and added two more goals to put the Sun Devils on top, 3-2, at the half.
Following the intermission, Tessa Wyborny added a goal to push the visitor's advantage to two goals (4-2), but the hosts again responded with two more scores to tie the contest at four heading into the final quarter of play. In the fourth, UCSB struck first before Rowie Webster tallied to tie the game at five. The hosts, however, would score once more to take a 6-5 victory.
Defensively, Caylinn Wallace turned in another double-digit save count, but her 10 stops were not enough for the Sun Devils to record a victory. One of her saves, however, came on a four-meter penalty shot.
ASU's tough west coast swing continues Saturday as the Sun Devils are set to meet No. 3 UCLA in Los Angeles for a 1 p.m. MPSF contest before facing No. 4 Loyola Marymount at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
#10 UC Santa Barbara defeats #8 Arizona State, 6-5
#8 Arizona State - 1-2-1-1=5
#10 UCSB - 2-0-2-2=6
ASU Goals: Addison Doud 3, Rowie Webster, Tessa Wyborny
ASU Saves: Caylinn Wallace (10)