GOLETA, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's water polo team fell twice to No. 17 UC Santa Barbara on Saturday on opening day of the 2025 season.

The Bobcats (0-2) fell 25-3 and 23-3 in the doubleheader.

Viviana Luna scored a goal in each game for UC Merced.

Melanie Torres, Breyenne Pierce, and freshmen Kiryn Wicker and Grace Tademy deposited one shot into the back of the net.

UCSB saw Bella Mady score four goals in each match, while Annie Kuester scored a day-high six goals in the second game of the doubleheader to lead the Gauchos.

In the first game, UC Merced scored two of its three goals in the first quarter. All three of the Bobcats goals in game two were scored in the second half.

Freshman Amelie Ramirez logged all 64 minutes in the cage on Saturday combining for eleven saves, including seven in the opener.

Up next, UC Merced will head to the Indiana Classic in Bloomington, Ind., for four matches.