No. 3 UCLA Beats No. 8 UC Santa Barbara, 7-6

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SAN DIEGO -- No. 3 UCLA (2-0) jumped out to a 4-0 lead but needed some last-minute heroics to defeat eighth-ranked UC Santa Barbara, 7-6, to win Group C on Saturday evening at the 2022 Triton Invitational on the campus of UC San Diego. UCLA improved to 108-17-1 in the series history against the Gauchos.

The Bruins had six different players score in the game, paced by freshman Noah Rowe's game-high two goals. Senior Tommy Gruwell scored the game-winning goal from two meters with 1:36 remaining. It was the Bruins' only goal of the fourth quarter.

Senior Bernardo Maurizi got the start in the cage and played the entire game, registering eight saves while allowing six goals (two on power plays and one on a penalty shot).

PERIOD ONE
> Both teams were scoreless in the opening stanza.
> UCLA was 0-for-2 on power plays while UCSB was 0-for-5 in the first period.

PERIOD TWO
> The Bruins scored the first four goals of the game and led 4-2 at the break.
> Sophomore Chase Dodd opened the scoring when he converted on a penalty that was drawn by redshirt sophomore Maximo Ross (7:33).
> Then Rossi made it 2-0 when he scored from two meters (5:00) off a feed from super senior Jake Cavano.
> Then Rowe scored back-to-back goals (4:37 and 3:00) to push the lead to 4-0.
> UCSB would score its first goal of the game on a 6-on-4 opportunity (2:29) and cut the lead in half with a goal from two meters (1:05) to end the scoring in the first half.
 
PERIOD THREE
> Both teams battled to a 2-2 draw in the third quarter as the Bruins took a 6-4 lead into the final stanza.
> After UCSB scored back-to-back goals (7:03 and 3:54) to tie the game at 4-4, the Bruins scored back-to-back to extend the lead back to two goals.
> Senior Andy Rodgers set up the first score on a power play with redshirt junior Giorgio Alessandria scoring on a power play (3:20).
> Redshirt sophomore Gianpiero Di Martire scored from the front court (0:09) to end the scoring in the third.

PERIOD FOUR
> UCSB won the fourth quarter, 2-1, to provide the 7-6 final.
> The Gauchos scored back-to-back goals (7:02 and 1:53) to tie it up at 6-6.
> But UCSB, which never led in the game, couldn't get the final stop they needed as Gruwell answered on the Bruins' next possession with the game-winner from two meters (1:36).

UP NEXT
The Bruins will face No. 7 UC Davis on Sunday, Sept. 4 in the semifinals at 9:30 a.m. PT at Triton Pool.

No. 8 UC Santa Barbara vs. No. 3 UCLA (Triton Invitational - Pool Play)

6x5 - UCLA - 2/9 - UCSB - 2/9
Penalties - UCLA - 1/1 - UCSB - 1/1

UCSB Goals: Marko Maramica 2, Dash McFarland 1, Ryan Brosnan 1, Tommy Hawkins 1, Leo Ohannessian 1
UCSB Saves: Danny Roland 13

UCLA Goals: Noah Rowe 2, Jake Cavano 1, Gianpiero Di Martire 1, Chase Dodd 1, Maximo Rossi 1, Tommy Gruwell 1
UCLA Saves: Bernardo Maurizi 8