March 29, 2009

Santa Barbara, Calif. - The Pacific women's water polo team earned its first Big West Conference win in the league's inaugural season, 4-3 over No. 13 UC Santa Barbara on Sunday Mar. 29. With the win, the Tigers improved to 8-18 overall and 1-1 in conference.

The Tigers jumped out quickly with a goal in the first quarter and two more in the second, while holding the Gauchos to one goal in the second quarter. Pacific took a 3-1 lead to halftime and never looked back.

Pacific gave up one goal in the third quarter. The fourth quarter saw the Tigers and the Gaucho's finding the back of the net once.

This win is Pacific's first win in the Big West Conference, it also marks the first time since Mar. 20, 2005 that the Tigers have beaten a conference opponent (7-6 over Cal State Northridge). Beating No. 13 UC Santa Barbara marks Pacific's first win over a ranked team Apr. 16, 2005 (11-9 over UC San Diego).

Sophomore Dara Tawarahara (Honolulu, Hawaii) led Pacific with two goals. Freshmen Katherine Biehle (Visalia, Calif.) and Allison Kosich (Stockton, Calif.) each added a own goal to the tally. Sohomore Bridget Geck (Huntington Beach, Calif.) had an assist and drew an ejection. Tawarahara, fellow sophomore Maggie Eicks (Houston, Texas) and Biehle also drew an ejection in the effort.

Freshman Lindsey Pengilly (Stockton, Calif.) played the entire game in goal recording 10 saves and two steals. Sophomores Bethany Quertermous (Humble, Texas), Meara McCarthy (Simsbury, Conn.) and Dara Tawarahara were able to make steals in the win

Pacific continues conference action next Saturday, April 4 at 12 p.m. as they play host to Long Beach State.

Scoring by Quarter:
Pacific: 1 - 2 - 0 - 1 = 4
UC Santa Barbara: 0 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 3

Pacific Goals: Dara Tawarahara (2). Katherine Biehle (1), Allison Kosich (1)
UC Santa Barbara Goals: Claire Buchanan 2, Alisha Khan.

Pacific Saves: Lindsey Pengilly (10 saves, 2 steals)
UC Santa Barbara Saves: Chelsea Carrillo 4