SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Long Island University women's water polo team closed out its trip out west against a pair of top-10 opponents on Sunday. The Sharks opened the day at Canyonview Aquatic Center with a 19-2 loss to No. 2 Stanford before falling to host, No. 10 UC San Diego, 17-6 later in the afternoon.

Game 1 - No. 2 Stanford 19, LIU 2

Stanford controlled the opening half with a 11-0 advantage after the first two quarters. LIU would net goals in the third and fourth quarter as rookies Jessica Dean and Taylor Thurlow found the back of the cage. The Cardinal offense would keep pace in the second half to earn the 19-2 victory.

Thurlow also registered a game-high two steals for the Sharks.

Game 2 - No. 10 UC San Diego 17, LIU 6

UC San Diego opened the game with the first two goals before freshman Alejandra Aranguren found the back of the cage at the 4:13 mark in the first quarter off the assist from freshman Kate Hinrichs. Both teams traded goals in the next two minutes with Aranguren scoring once again from the assist by Dean. UC San Diego controlled the match from there with a 7-1 scoring advantage to the a 10-3 lead at the half.

The Tritons continued to pace the game in the second half outscoring the Sharks, 7-3 to take home the 17-6 win.

Aranguren scored a season-high five goals for LIU while Dean made it four straight games with a goal. The duo also recorded a steal in the game as did freshman Julia Zebak.

UP NEXT

LIU concludes its tournament slate and non-conference play next weekend at the Harvard Invite. Competition begins on Saturday, March 7 against Harvard and Connecticut College.