RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Whittier College women's water polo team opened up their 2012 campaign with a split this morning narrowly losing to Redlands 9-5 but bouncing back to beat the Coyotes of Div. I Cal State San Bernardino 15-10.
Game 1 (Redlands – L, 9-5)
Whittier who was coming into this morning's matchup anxious to get their season started came out strong behind a tough press defense that proved to be a factor for the Bulldogs who won the SCIAC Title last season in 2011. Despite not being able to score in the first quarter, Whittier was still able to go into the half only down 2-1 after receiving a goal from Freshman Samantha Pudwill late in the second.
Coming out of the break Whittier tied the game up quickly with a goal from captain Arianna Weisenburger but Redlands quickly answered with goals of their own to go into the final period up by three.
In the fourth quarter Whittier mounted a comeback behind two goals from Katrina Thoreson and a goal from Kirsten Davis but it wasn't enough as Redlands was able to hold on for the four goal victory.
Whittier will face off once again against the Bulldogs of the University of Redlands as they travel to Riverside once more on March 31 beginning at 11:00am.
Game 2 (Cal State San Bernardino – W, 15-10)
In Game two of the Redlands Mini Tournament Whittier faced off against the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino and pulled off a convincing win behind a strong counterattack that proved to be the difference late in the game.
The Poets jumped out to an early lead behind a plethora of goals that included once again Pudwill who added two to go along with goals from Thoreson, Weisenburger, Jae Crabtree, and freshman Terrileigh Shepherd who comes to the Poets all the way from Zimbabwe. Coach Pudwill expects big things from the freshman and looks for her and Pudwill to lead a talented freshman class late into the season.
After jumping out to an early lead, Whittier continued to attack as Melissa Reynoso and Weisenburger added goals in the second to help the Purple & Gold lead at the half. Coming out of the break, Whittier continued to use their counterattack and speed to continue getting scoring opportunities as Thoreson, Reynoso, and Weisenburger again added goals to extend the Poet lead.
The Coyotes did however come back to chip back into the Poet lead but Thoreson and Reynoso tacked on goals late in the fourth to secure the five point victory.
Whittier will now take a mini break from competition and will begin preparing to take part in the Chapman Tournament taking place on February 25 & 26. The teams the Poets will play against will include:
February 25
Vanguard University (10:40am)
Mercyhurst (4:00pm)
February 26
Gannon (12:00pm)
Cal State San Bernardino (5:20pm)
