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USC

1/31/2026 | 11:10 AM


Jan. 31 (Sat) / 11:10 AM


 USC

History

LA JOLLA, Calif. – In its first game of the 2026 Triton Invitational Friday, the No. 12 UC San Diego women’s water polo team defended its home turf with a gritty 12-11 win against No. 14 UC Davis at Canyonview Aquatic Center.

The Tritons, who scored the winning goal with less than 10 seconds on the clock, are now 5-1 overall.

The 16-team tournament continues Saturday and concludes Sunday. 

For complete results and upcoming match-ups, visit the tournament page.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Emily Cloherty netted the game-winning goal with just six seconds remaining in regulation. It was the fourth goal of the game for the junior attacker.

The Tritons led 8-6 at halftime, much in part to scoring five goals in the opening quarter. Cascade Stensland’s power play strike was the final goal of the half.

The Aggies out-scored the Tritons 3-2 in the third period.

Gianna Nocetti drew UC Davis even at 10-10 just 19 seconds into the fourth. Freshman Alexa Kraaijvanger put UC San Diego back in front with a score at 1:51. Thirty seconds later, the Aggies tied it again when Bridget Miller found the back of the net. UC Davis was called for an exclusion with 17 seconds on the clock, giving UC San Diego a power play which Cloherty took advantage of.

Six different Tritons scored in the game. Evelyn Burns, Abigail Schechter, and Stensland tallied two goals apiece.

Bria Zwaschka made 10 saves for UC San Diego.

For UC Davis, Ashley Wallin finished with four goals and Sadie Henry had a hat trick.

The Tritons scored four power play goals in nine extra player situations. The Aggies were able to convert just three of 14 opportunities.

WHAT HEAD COACH SARAH LIZOTTE HAD TO SAY

“Playing our first home game of the season at the Triton Invitational brought a different level of energy and our athletes embraced it. UC Davis pushed us for the full four quarters and the team’s ability to stay connected and execute in the final moments was a big step forward. That kind of experience at home is invaluable for a group that’s continuing to grow.” 

TRITON TIDBITS

• Emily Cloherty’s final goal was her second game-winner of the season.

• It was the first home win for head coach Sarah Lizotte.

• Cloherty and Abigail Schechter have scored in six consecutive games.

• It was the third straight game that Bria Zwaschka recorded at least 10 saves in net.

• UC San Diego and UC Davis tied for the fourth position in the Big West Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

UP NEXT

UC San Diego takes on second-ranked USC Saturday at 11:10 a.m. Tourney tickets are available through the Triton Box Office.

 

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.