The UCSD women’s water polo team split last weekend, dropping an 8-6 decision to No. 6 San Jose State University before winning an 18-4 laugher over Santa Clara University. SJSU took control of the game from the beginning, forging a 3-0 lead in the first quarter behind two goals from Christine Welsh and one from Neva West.

In the second quarter the Tritons reversed the momentum, receiving goals from Meris Bantilian and Emma Kudritzki and holding the Spartans scoreless to narrow SJSU’s lead to 3-2.

After the half, the two teams continued to play neck and neck, as Kudritzki’s second goal of the day tied the game at three apiece. However, the lead didn’t last long as the Spartans retook the lead behind goals by Welsh and Allison Kurvers.

Triton Dana Tucker responded with a goal of her own, and Danielle Boyle scored another goal for UCSD in the last minute of the third period to knot the score at five.

In the fourth quarter Spartan Laura Scott began the scoring and gave SJSU a 6-5 lead. Welsh then scored her fourth goal of the game and gave the Spartans a two-goal advantage.

However, the Tritons refused to die, and Kudritzki’s third goal of the afternoon cut the lead to 7-6. But SJSU’s Christine Scott added another goal with 46 seconds left to seal the win for the Spartans.

The next day in Santa Clara, Calif., UCSD had no problems at all with Santa Clara University.

The Tritons jumped ahead of the Broncos 3-1 in the first quarter and never looked back. UCSD scored seven unanswered goals in the second quarter to take a commanding 10-1 lead.

The Broncos actually played even with the Tritons in the third quarter, both teams scoring two goals each to bring the score to 12-3.

Elizabeth Keesey contributed three fourth-quarter goals, and the Tritons ended the game with a 6-1 run to bring the score to 18-4. Keesey finished the game with five goals, while Kari Lyman, Tucker, Samara Silverman and Meris Bantilan-Smith all added goals to the UCSD offense. UCSD goalie Stephanie Lombardo finished the day with seven saves while her Bronco counterpart, Anne Ginotti, tallied five.

After the weekend split, the ninth-ranked Tritons’ record evens out to 16-9 as they head into the Long Beach Invitational next weekend. They then host San Diego State University April 19 in their final match before the Western Water Polo Association Championships.