On Saturday, the team started strong as they handedly beat Wagner University in the morning match.
Sophomore center Melissa Bartow put the Tritons ahead with the first two goals of the match, and afterward, UCSD never conceded the lead. Bartow scored back-to-back goals again in the beginning of the second period, bringing the Triton’s lead up to 5-1. Sophomore Sara Lizotte quickly tacked on two more goals, while transfer junior Brittany Daniels scored her first goal as a Triton in the 11-6 victory.
But they couldn’t keep up the momentum of the win, as the afternoon game saw the Tritons fall to Maryland University 14-6. Lizotte lead the Tritons with four goals, with senior utility Natalie Peng adding two, but it was not enough to stop the onslaught from undefeated Maryland.
The two teams were tied at 4-4 after the first period, but Maryland pulled away, scoring five goals in the second half to cement the victory.
Marist University — a squad that has yet to find a win this season — appeared out of its depth against the Tritons in their last match of the tournament. Lizotte came out red hot against the Red Foxes, scoring a career-high eight goals.
But the first period had UCSD and Marist trading goals to tie the game at 2-2. Soon after, the Tritons capitalized on a Red Fox penalty that had them playing down five men to six.
With the advantage, the Tritons finished back-to-back goals from Lizotte and senior center Kirsten Bates to turn the tide in the Tritons’ favor.
The two squads battled in the first half, but a penalty shot made by Lizotte late in the second period opened the floodgates for UCSD.
In the third quarter, the Tritons upped their lead to five. With just 18 seconds remaining in the period, Lizotte sunk another one to push the score to 12-8.
Junior goalie Alexandra Taylor had a big night, blocking eight shots on goal and allowing the Tritons to walk away with the 12-10 victory.
For her role in leading the Tritons to a 3-1 record, Sara Lizotte was awarded the KAP7 Western Water Polo Association Player of the Week.
Over the past four games, Lizotte has tallied 20 goals and 5 assists, drawn eight ejections and shot over 58 percent.
This is the second time Lizotte has been awarded this honor, after she was recognized last year as a freshman.
The Tritons play the Red Foxes again at home in the Canyonview Pool at 6 p.m. on February 10th.
