SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's water polo team played its first two games in program history on Friday at the UCSB Winter Invite. The Bobcats fell 23-2 to Cal State Fullerton in the season opener and 24-2 to Concordia University Irvine in the afternoon game.

Friday also marked the inaugural game for Fullerton, an exciting moment for water polo in the state of California having two first year programs squaring off head-to-head on opening day.

Hope Stokes scored the Bobcats first ever goal with 2:21 remaining in the second quarter against Fullerton. Stokes would also score in the fourth quarter against the Titans and the Fresno State transfer added a third goal to her opening day with a second quarter score against CUI.

Freshman Viviana Luna netted a goal each against CSUF and CUI.

Up next, the Bobcats will play 19th ranked UC Santa Barbara (7:00am) and 2022 USA Water Polo Division III National Champion Pomona-Pitzer (2:30pm) on Saturday, January 21 at the Gauchos campus pool.