Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College women's water polo team moved to 10-6 on the season after sweeping Division I Virginia Military Institute 14-11 and Siena 9-7.

The Poets are now 4-1 in their last five games with a tough ASU Invite set to take place this weekend Saturday and Sunday against Division I Arizona State and Cal State Bakersfield and Division II Azusa Pacific. 

Game 1 (VMI, W, 14-11)

VMI went up 1-0 early in the game before the Poets capitalized on an exclusion with a goal from Jae Crabtree.  VMI would take a 2-1 advantage minutes later but the Purple & Gold would answer with two of their own from Crabtree and Laurel Pinkley who converted a five meter.

The game remained tied at three following the first quarter but opening the second the Keydets would get a quick tally before WC would knot the game up at four with a goal from Melanie Peel.  VMI would get another two goals to end the half but Crabtree would continue lighting it up getting her third of the game, while Peel connected on her second to give WC a 7-6 advantage at the break. 

In the third, the Poets would extend their lead to 8-6 with an early goal from Meliza Rodriguez until the Keydets would add back to back scores to tie the game.  But once again the Purple & Gold would put together a nice run finishing the frame on a 3-1 run with goals from Pinkley, Isabella Gorrocino, and Crabtree that moved the score to 11-9.

In the final period, VMI would add two goals but the Poets offensive attack would add three from Arlin De La Mora, Crabtree, and Jenel Rivera that secured the victory.         

Game 2 (Siena, W, 9-7)    

In the nightcap, the Poets found themselves in a tough matchup with Siena.  In one of the lower combined scoring affairs on the season, the Poets emerged victorious despite seeing Siena hold a 3-1 lead after the first quarter of play. 

Rivera would pull the Poets within one to open the second and De La Mora would add another late to keep the deficit at one heading into the break.  Out of the half, Whittier would use a 4-0 run from Jasmine Villalpando, Sabrina Carlile, Cynthia Castillo and Pinkley to go in front 7-4 but Siena would answer with two of their own to pull within one.

In the final period Siena would tie the game up at seven but Whittier would string together two goals from Rivera and Castillo, while holding the opponent scoreless over the final six minutes en route to the two goal victory.