MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's water polo team lost 21-7 to Cal State Monterey Bay on Sunday afternoon at the Aquatics Center.
The Bobcats fall to 5-22 overall.
Claudette Asenjo led the Bobcats offense with a hat trick, including scoring two goals early in the third quarter. She buried a penalty shot in the second quarter. The Merced, Calif., native has five hat tricks in the last seven matches.
Autumn Day and Kaya Eaton scored four goals each for Cal State Monterey Bay.
Both teams scored in the opening minute, including Kiryn Wicker for the Bobcats to tie the game 1-1. However, the Otters responded with four unanswered goals to take a 5-1 lead into the second quarter.
Asenjo hit her penalty shot to get the Bobcats back on the board before another 4-0 Otter run. The Bobcats trailed 9-2 at halftime.
The Bobcats pulled within six goals early in the third quarter but CSUMB gained complete control after that outscoring the Bobcats 11-3 the rest of the way. CSUMB had a 5-0 goal scoring run ending the third quarter and into the final frame.
UC Merced goalkeeper Amelie Ramirez collected eleven saves, her sixth double figure save match of the campaign. She was also credited with two steals.
UC Merced Goal Scorers: Asenjo (3), Vivianna Luna (1), Breyenne Pierce (1), Grade Tademy (1), Wicker (1)
Looking ahead, UC Merced will host Fresno Pacific University on Friday, April 18 at 5:00pm at the Aquatics Center.