Women’s water polo fights back UC Irvine for a 7-5 victory

The falling rain complicated matters at Spieker Aquatics Center, but one thing stayed constant: Priscilla Orozco’s domination of UC Irvine.

The senior attacker scored a career-high five goals in the Bruin water polo team’s 7-5 win over the Anteaters on Saturday. The last time the two teams met, Orozco scored four goals in a UCLA win.

No. 3 UCLA (13-1) fell down early and had to fight for the win. Jessy Cardey opened the scoring for the No. 11 Anteaters (6-3), but Orzoco responded with 5:02 to play in the first quarter to tie the score. She then followed up with another goal to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead, but UCI answered and knotted the score at two going into halftime.

In the second half, goals by Orozco and sophomore attacker Brooke Martin gave the Bruins a lead they wouldn’t give up.

Junior utility KK Clark added one goal, and junior goalkeeper Caitlin Dement had eight saves in goal for UCLA.

The non-conference game against the Anteaters served as an important tune-up match for a Bruin team about to start games in the toughest conference in the country. UCLA will open Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play by hosting No. 5 Hawai’i on Thursday before heading to the UC Irvine Invitational on Saturday.

ҬOrzoco goes back-to-back
Saturday’s game was another to remember for Orozco, who has put together a string of impressive performances. Orozco has scored in every game this year and has scored multiple goals nine times.

The MPSF recognized Orozco’s stellar play by naming her Player of the Week, the second straight week she has earned the honor. Her 30 goals lead UCLA on the year and are fourth in the MPSF.

Compiled by Ryan Menezes, Bruin Sports senior staff.