SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The first day of the 2016 season water polo season brought stiff competition for the Cougars as they faced a pair of top-20 teams at the UC Santa Barbara Invitational.

#20 Wagner 12, Azusa Pacific 6

Despite Alba Espinar's 13th career hat trick, the Cougars couldn't overcome an early deficit.

The Seahawks held a 6-2 lead after the opening quarter and proceeded to increase their edge to 9-3 at the contest's halfway mark. Wagner continued to hold their lead in the final two quarters.

Azusa Pacific was able to generate eight extra-person attack opportunities but were able to convert as just one of them.

Also finding the back of the cage for the Cougars was Maryann Slama, Mar Pastor and Arienne Yao.

#19 Cal State Northridge 14, Azusa Pacific 12

Despite trailing from the early moments, a valiant effort nearly gave the Cougars a victory over a nationally ranked team.

After the first quarter the Cougars found themselves in a 3-1 deficit which turned into 5-1. However, a pesky Azusa Pacific rebounded. An Alex Paxton goal with 2:28 left in the second frame capped off a 4-2 scoring spurt as the Cougars were down just 7-5. However, the Matadors scored the final goal of the period as they went ahead 8-5 at intermission.

Similar to the second period Azusa Pacific couldn't answer back early goal from Cal State Northridge but still stayed within striking distance. Facing an 11-5 disadvantage, the Cougars got a goal from Maryann Slama then two straight from Alba Espinar to close within 11-8 enter the final eight minutes.

Cal State Northridge kept the story line from the second and third period going in the final stanza as they held a pair of four goal leads at 13-9 and again at 14-10. Arienne Yao and Ashley Taylor scored the contest's final two goals for Azusa Pacific.

Highlighting the goal scorers for the Cougars was an Espinar hat trick and a three-goal game from Britt Harris.