STOCKTON, Calif. – Sixteen was the Tigers' lucky number on Saturday. Pacific (16-5, 2-1) defeated GCC opponent Santa Clara (7-13, 0-3) 16-5 and then took down #13 Harvard (16-4, 1-1) 16-15 in sudden-death overtime.

"It was a great day today to get two big wins, one in conference and one against a great team like Harvard," said Head Coach James Graham. "We made a lot of progress in the last week from our games the previous weekend. I really liked how our offense and defense played; players really stepped up and made some great decisions. We're looking forward to our home opener tomorrow."

Against the Broncos, nine Tigers scored. Graduate student Brianna Utas, sophomore Hila Futorian and sophomore Szamira Koppány led the Pacific attack with three apiece. Graduate student Lucy Davis added two.

Sophomore Addison McGowan, freshman Alicia Petkov, sophomore Ilyana Zlobinsky, junior June Akpata and sophomore Lucia Sarimsakci each dented the twine once during Pacific's 16-goal campaign.

Against the Crimson, Futorian and Koppány had four each. Futorian's fourth was the game-winner in sudden-death overtime. Utas and Davis had three each, and McGowan and Zlobinsky each added a tally to the scoresheet.

Redshirt senior goalkeeper Clara Vulpisi had six saves against the Crimson and a steal against the Broncos.

Futorian assisted on four Tiger goals, and Davis assisted on three in the Harvard game. Freshman Noemi Alaksza, McGowan and Utas each added an assist for Pacific.

Defensively, many Tigers stepped up. McGowan drew four exclusions from the Crimson. Utas, Koppány and Alaksza each drew two. Zlobinsky and junior Annikah Lillie each added one drawn exclusion. Futorian and Utas were each credited with a steal, keeping the ball in Tiger territory.

On Sunday, the Pacific women's water polo program opens its home season by hosting #11 Michigan (16-7, 4-0) at 10 a.m. It's Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day at the Chris Kjeldsen Pool, and there will be a food truck outside the Douglass M. Eberhardt Aquatics Center at 9 a.m. Fans can purchase tickets to the Tigers vs. Wolverines here.

#15 Pacific vs. #11 Michigan 
Sunday, March 19, at 10 a.m.
Chris Kjeldsen Pool
Live Stream
Live Stats

To stay current on Pacific women's water polo, download the Pacific Tigers Athletics mobile app and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.