Hoosiers Split First Day of UCSB Winter Invite

Saturday, January 19

Santa Barbara, CA

3:00 PM ET

Indiana University

UC San Diego

1/19/2019 10:46:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

UCSD Box Score (PDF)UCSB Box Score (PDF)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Indiana University water polo team started the weekend off strong in their first match of the day with an 8-7 win over No. 15 UC San Diego before falling short to No. 17 UC Santa Barbara., 15-5.

Game 1: No. 13 Indiana 8, No. 15 UC San Diego 7
The Hoosiers took control in the first half of the game scoring three goals in the first quarter and adding another two in the second. The team's performance was just as strong in the second half, as they went on to score three more goals to secure their first win against UC San Diego.

Izzy Mandema started her collegiate career off strong scoring five of the teams eight points throughout the four-quarter battle. Mandeman went on to throw up her first career field block defending Indiana's close lead.

Junior Megan Abarta showed her dominance in the pool tossing the ball in for her first goal of the season while providing three assists. Abarta showed her defensive toughness when throwing up two field blocks against the Trojans, proving her value on both ends of the pool.

Game 2: No. 17 UC Santa Barbara 15, No. 13 Indiana 5
Indiana put up a hard-fought battle during their second match-up of the day against tournament hosts UC Santa Barbara. Unfortunately, the Hoosiers fell behind in the first half and were unable to work their way back.

Hannah Falls-Hand began her freshman season scoring the first three goals of her collegiate career. Emily Powell and Tina Doherty each threw in another goal and both provided an assist on the Hoosiers offensive attack.

Goal keeper Mary Askew held up her end of the net by swiping two steals while Powell managed to grab another, stopping the Gauchos from three attempted shots. UC Santa Barbara proved to be a tough test for Indiana, but the Hoosiers look to bounce back and finish the tournament weekend on a high note.

Up Next: Day 2 of the UCSB Winter Invitational • Sunday, Jan. 20
11:30 a.m. ET – No. 14 Indiana vs. Fresno State
3:30 p.m. ET – No. 14 Indiana vs. No. 1 USC

The Hoosiers play their second leg of their opening weekend Sunday morning against Fresno St. before taking on their newest conference opponent USC. Sunday's double will be the last of the UCSB Winter Invite for Indiana.

The team returns to California Feb. 2-3 for the Stanford Invite where the Hoosiers will take on the No. 4University of California, No. 2 Stanford and No. 10 UC Davis.