Skip To Main Content

University of the Pacific

Do Amaral

No. 11 Pacific Splits Doubleheader on First Day in Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 11 Pacific women's water polo team (2-1) split their two matches on Saturday afternoon, losing first to No. 5 UCLA, 14-7, before defeating No. 24 Marist, 12-11 at the Canham Natatorium.
 
Fresh off their season-opening win over Sonoma State on Wednesday, Jan. 22, the Tigers got their first taste of ranked opponents in the Michigan Invitational.
 
NO. 5 UCLA 14, NO. 11 PACIFIC 7
 
First Half-
  • The fifth-ranked Bruins would begin the match on fire, scoring four goals in the first period while holding the Tigers from finding the back of the cage.
  • At the end of one, UCLA led UOP, 4-0.
  • Pacific would get on the board when junior Savannah Fitzgerald assisted sophomore Ana Martinez do Amaral for her first goal of the match at the 6:16 mark in the second period.
  • Despite another goal from the Burins, the Tigers countered with senior Emma Myall's first goal of the season, which came at 5:27 to cut the UCLA lead to five (7-2).
  • Having recorded four goals in the win over Sonoma State, Fitzgerald continued to show her dominance with her first goal of the contest at the 2:59 mark.
  • Unfortunately, Pacific headed into the locker room trailing the Bruins, 11-3.
 
Second Half-
  • Coming out of the break, sophomore Lucy Davis scored the first points of the second half on an assist from junior Kamryn Lucero at 5:46 in the third period.
  • UCLA would respond with two goals of their own in the following minutes, but do Amaral notched her second of the contest with 1:01 remaining in the third.
  • At the end of three, the Tigers trailed UCLA, 13-5.
  • Looking to make a comeback, Fitzgerald tallied her second goal of the match at the 5:49 mark in the fourth period.
  • Following one final goal from the Bruins at 4:40, Fitzgerald capped off her performance with another goal to register her second straight hat trick with 1:45 remaining in regulation.
  • Despite these efforts, No. 11 Pacific ultimately fell to No. 5 UCLA by a final score of 14-7.
 
 
NO. 11 PACIFIC, NO. 24 MARIST
 
First Half-
  • Aiming to get back in the win column, Pacific scored the first two goals of the match as do Amaral and Fitzgerald each found the back of the cage at 7:26 and 6:54 in the opening period. 
  • Although the Red Foxes would counter with a goal of their own, Pacific took a 3-1 lead on Fitzgerald's second goal of the day at the 3:50 mark in the first.
  • At the end of one, Pacific was out in front of Marist, 3-1.
  • Despite a Red Fox goal to open the second period, Fitzgerald recorded her third hat trick in as many games with a goal at 6:55, pushing the Tiger lead to 4-2.
  • Following a quick three-goal run by Marsit, sophomore Brianna Utas tied the match at five on an assist from Davis with 3:46 remaining in the half.
  • Junior Brooke Contreras would go on to net her lone goal of the match with 22 seconds left on the clock. The Tigers then headed into the locker room tied at six with the Red Foxes.
 
Second Half-
  • Getting UOP on the board, Fitzgerald tallied her fourth goal at the 5:03 mark to give Pacific the lead again, 7-6.
  • Finding their rhythm on offense, Utas netted her second of the match at 3:12 as the Tigers and Red Foxes continued to battle back-and-forth.
  • At the end of three, the Tigers trailed Marist by just one goal, 9-8.
  • Catching fire and recording a new season-high, Fitzgerald tied the game once again with her fifth goal of the match just seventeen seconds into the final frame.
  • Trading goals with the Red Foxes, the Tigers remained even with Marsit after do Amaral's second goal of the contest at the 6:05 mark.
  • Coming up clutch for Pacific and enjoying one of her most successful days in the pool, Fitzgerald scored the final two goals for the Tigers, including the game-winner with 2:40 left on the clock.
  • Locking down on defense when they needed to, UOP went on to secure their second victory of the young season by a final score of 12-11 over No. 24 Marist.
 
UP NEXT: Pacific will continue play in the Michigan Invitational with another doubleheader on Sunday, Jan. 26. The Tigers are set to square off against No. 7 Michigan at 6:15 am PST and No. 23 Indiana at 10:15 am at the Canham Natatorium.
 
FOLLOW US: For more information and updates on the Pacific women's water polo team, please follow the team on Twitter (@Pacific_WWP), Instagram (@pacificwaterpolo) and Facebook (@pacificwomenswaterpolo).
Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Now Playing:

Related Stories