Feb. 21, 2003

DAVIS, Calif. --- Brittany Russell scored four goals while four other Aggies each had two to lead UC Davis to a 15-3 win over Santa Clara in a women's Western Water Polo Association match at Hickey Pool Friday. Alia Hansen, Beth Jay, Kristin Pfaff and Alli Johnstone each posted a pair of scores in the win.

The Aggies improve to 6-5 on the season, while the Broncos even their record at 4-4.

Jay kicked off UC Davis' offense by assisting Russell for the game's first goal, then converting a pass from Shannon McGee to bring her team to a 2-0 start. Santa Clara did not manage a shot until the 2:04 point in the first quarter, when Becky Hong set up Kathleen Hamm for a score. Jay tacked on a 6-on-5 goal at the conclusion of the first quarter to give the Aggies a 4-1 lead after the first period.

"I thought it was a good solid performance as a follow-up from last week," said Jamey Wright, whose team took 5th-ranked UC Berkeley to overtime on February 16. "Missy Duncan, Alli Johnstone and Kristin Pfaff did a really good job with transition offense. It makes a game like this much easier."

Not one UC Davis starter saw time in a second quarter that saw two goals by Hansen within the first two minutes and only two shots on goal (six total attempts) by the Santa Clara offense. With less than a minute in the first half, Mary Dentice sent a pass to Nicole Lorrimer, who then set up Jessi Lafayette for a goal, giving the Aggies a 7-1 lead at the break.

SCU broke a 13-minute scoring drought when Katy Shumm hit the back of the UC Davis age with 4:36 remaining in the third period, but the Aggies responded with three more goals to finish that quarter. Johnstone scored her second goal on a counterattack, then Missy Duncan drew a four-meter penalty, which Russell converted for a 9-2 lead. Finally, Melissa Agee set up Kristin Pfaff for a goal at the 0:51 mark in the third.

UC Davis rang up five goals in the fourth quarter, including back-to-back scores by Pfaff. Her second goal came as a result of Russell's steal at the seven-meter mark. Becky Hong punched in a goal at 2:21 to give Santa Clara it's third goal, but the Aggies countered with 6-on-5 goals by Lorrimer and Michael Brady to finish the game.

Friday's action serves as a prelude for the eight-team Davis Shootout tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

GOALS - SCU: Kathleen Hamm 1, Katy Shumm 1, Becky Hong 1. UC Davis: Brittany Russell 4, Beth Jay 2, Alia Hansen 2, Alli Johnstone 2, Kristin Pfaff 2, Jessi Lafayette 1, Nicole Lorrimer 1, Michaela Brady 1.

GOALIES - SCU: Anne Ginotti 7 saves, 15 goals against. UC Davis: Kelsey Whalen 1 save, 1 goal against (14:00); Nicole Ho 4 saves, 2 goals against (14:00).

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