Feb. 25, 2007

IRVINE, Calif. - Junior Christi Raycraft and senior Cassie Schaefer each scored hat tricks to lead 10th-ranked UC Davis to a 16-11 upset over fourth-ranked Hawaii in the seventh-place game of the UC Irvine Invitational women's water polo tournament Sunday. The Aggies fell to San Jose State, 12-9, earlier in the day.

UC Davis moves to 10-4 overall. The win over the Rainbow Wahine is the team's second substantial upset in as many days, as the Aggies had edged No. 7 Loyola Marymount in their tournament opener on Saturday.

Junior Jessica Soza ignited the Aggie offense in the opening minute against Hawaii, scoring on the first of five 6-on-5 goals in the opening quarter. Schaefer and junior Casie Mota also had advantage goals in a 4-0 opening run. Schaefer also hit a five-meter penalty minute in the final minute of the first half, providing UC Davis with a 10-5 halftime edge. Both Raycraft and Schaefer completed their hat tricks in a four-goal Aggie fourth quarter, while senior goalie Amber Korner had six of her nine saves after the break.

In UC Davis' first game, Raycraft, Soza and junior Mary Lowe each scored two goals to lead the Aggie offense against SJSU. The Spartans held a 6-2 lead with 2:45 remaining in the first half, but UC Davis slowly whittled away at the lead until Lowe's 6-on-5 goal tied the game at 8-8. Hoewver, SJSU answered with four unanswered goals to seal the win. Senior attacker Deanna Lowry had three goals -- all in the final quarter -- lead the Spartans.

The nightcap victory is believed to be the first time UC Davis women's water polo has defeated a top-four team during its 11 years as a varsity program. Hawai'i finished fourth at last year's NCAA Championships, defeating the Aggies to advance to the national semifinals.

UC Davis returns to action in a home game against UC Santa Barbara on March 3.

GOALS - UC Davis: Christi Raycraft 2, Jessica Soza 2, Mary Lowe 2, Casie Mota 1, Katherine O'Rourke 1, Madeline Stephenson 1. SJSU: Deanna Lowry 3, Alexis Higlett 3, Juliet Moss 2, Bridget McKee 1, Tonya Torres 1, Cynthia Gazzolo 1, Kathryn Hannum 1.

GOALS - UH: Kelly Mason 3, Ryan Hanson-Swarner 3, Anna Sieprath 2, Angela Turnbull 1, Lisa van Raalte 1, Brittany Dames 1. UC Davis: Christi Raycraft 3, Cassie Schaefer 3, Casie Mota 2, Katherine O'Rourke 2, Heidi Kucera 1, Lindsay Kiyama 1, Jessica Soza 1, Mary Lowe 1, Ashley Chander 1, Laura Uribe 1.