DAVIS, Calif. – The #17 Pacific women's water polo team picked up a pair of wins over Cal State East Bay and UC Merced to open the Aggie Invite Saturday at Schaal Aquatics Center.
 
The Tigers (4-2) utilized a key fourth-period offensive surge to defeat the Pioneers, 13-8, and followed that performance with a dominant 20-4 victory over the Bobcats.
 
"Today was a great day for water polo," Pacific head coach Candice Vorbeck said. "Our organization is looking much better, and we played our game. We diversified our playing time much more this afternoon and we were able to have fun doing what we love."
 
Game 1: No. 17 Pacific 13, Cal State East Bay 8
 
The Tigers took down the Pioneers for a second time this season after meeting in the Stanford Invitational last weekend.
 
Fueling the Pacific attack was graduate student Hailey Williams, who netted a season-high four goals and five points. Sophomore Dora Alaksza tied a season-high with six points, including four goals on a team-high 11 shots.
 
Freshman Maja Lizy Dulic drew the starting assignment in goal for the Tigers, making six saves in the effort defensively.
 
The Tigers got off to a strong start, leading 4-2 after the first eight minutes. Cal State East Bay was able to get two quick goals to start the second frame, but Pacific responded with two more to carry a 6-4 advantage at halftime. Williams completed her first hat trick of the season before the midway point.
 
The Pioneers outscored the Tigers in the third period, 4-3, making the score a one-goal game in favor of Pacific heading into the fourth frame.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Tigers silenced the Pioneers' offense, not allowing a single goal while tacking on four more tallies from four different players. Pacific ultimately secured the 13-8 victory for their third win of the season.
 
Game 2: No. 17 Pacific 20, UC Merced 4
 
The Tigers carried over the momentum from the opening match with a decisive display in the first-ever meeting against UC Merced, winning 20-4. It's the largest margin of victory for the Tigers since a 24-8 win last season against Fresno Pacific on Jan. 27.
 
18 different Tigers registered at least a point and nine Tigers collected multi-point performances. Freshman Lily Van Putten led the way offensively with her first hat trick of the season on the four-goal, seven-shot performance. Alaksza recorded her fifth hat trick of the season with three goals, extending her point streak to a season-long six games. Alaksza has scored at least two goals in every contest so far.
 
Dulic started in goal, making five saves.
 
The Tigers jumped out of the gates, rampaging with a six-goal surge whil allowing none in the opening frame. Pacific tacked on five more goals in the next quarter, extending its lead to 11-1.
 
Five more goals in third period and four more in the fourth frame ultimately iced the game away as Pacific downed UC Merced, 20-4.
 
The Tigers continue play at the Aggie Invite with a match tomorrow at 10 a.m. against the host #14 Aggies.
 
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