Men’s Golf
UCI wrapped up their fall schedule with the conclusion of the Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational earlier this week in Princeville, Kaua’i, Hawai’i.
The ‘Eaters finished a disappointing 19th with a final score of 913, well behind tournament champion Mississippi who posted a 54-hole total of 831.
Junior David Kim led the way with a score of 224, good for 63rd in the field, followed by junior Jonathan Young who finished in 75th with a 229.
Sophomore Ramiz Jamal placed 78th at 230, while freshman Jonathan Kang and junior Ryan O’Connor tied for 87th with a 233 finish.
Kim was named Big West Conference Golfer of the Month for October after a couple of impressive performances during the ‘Eaters’ fall slate.
At the Nick Watney Invitational in Fresno, Kim led UCI to fifth place after posting a 2-under 211 through 54 holes and a final round 68 back on October 4th.
Kim followed that up with a 9-under 207 at the Cullum Invitational on October 17-18 to help the ‘Eaters finish second in the team competition.
The two top-10 finishes give him six for his career.
Women’s Tennis
Senior Cassidy Branstine, and freshmen Stephanie Nguyen and Constance Branstine represented UCI at the Jack Kramer Collegiate Invitational last week, with each performing in the singles bracket as well as Nguyen and Cassidy Branstine entering as a doubles team.
Constance Branstine swiped two victories on Day 1 of the tournament, defeating Natella Nabieva of BYU, 6-2, 6-2, and taking down Fresno State’s Juliane Triebe in the deciding set, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (4).
Cassidy Branstine dropped to Maria Medina of UTEP in the first round, 6-3, 6-3, while Nguyen could not handle Risa Nakagawa of Georgetown, 6-1, 6-2. The duo also lost their first round doubles matchup against BYU’s Mayci Jones and Polina Malykh by a score of 8-2.
On Day 2, Constance Branstine took down Brooke Rischbieth of Northwestern in a three-set showdown, escaping with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 victory, but could not advance past the quarterfinals after a tough defeat to 123-ranked Dzina Milanovich of Pepperdine on Day 3.
The ‘Eaters will conclude their fall season schedule with the SDSU Fall Classic from November 11th-13th.
Men’s Water Polo
UCI (9-12, 1-3) traveled to Malibu to take on 9th-ranked conference foe Pepperdine (12-10, 2-2) on Friday, and fell in a close one after the Waves scored two goals late to come out on top 8-7.
Freshmen Ian Fleenor and Byrant Joudrie and sophomore Jack Trush contributed two goals apiece for the ‘Eaters, while junior Ryan Warde tallied a score as well.
Junior goalie Matej Matijevich notched 12 saves in the loss, as UCI kept pace with the Waves 6-6 going into the fourth quarter.
Trush gave the ‘Eaters the lead with just under four minutes to play, but Pepperdine’s Sean Thomas and Mark Urban knocked in two goals in the final 2:16 to hand UCI its third straight one-goal loss.
The next day, the ‘Eaters hosted 3rd-ranked California (16-3) on UCI’s Senior Day but could not overcome a tough Golden Bears squad, dropping their final home game of the season 9-6.
Before the game, seniors Andrew Fisher and Brock Ivancovich were recognized as their UCI careers came to a close.
Fleenor and freshman Jon Polos contributed goals in the first half as the match was tied 2-2 at halftime, but Cal managed to extend their lead to 8-4 after exploding for six goals in the third period. UCI was able to close the gap to 8-6 before one last goal by the Bears produced the 9-6 final.
Polos and Warde led the ‘Eaters with a pair of goals while Matijevich grabbed 13 saves.
UCI is back in action at Long Beach State next Friday for their Golden Coast Conference finale before the conference tournament begins on November 18th.