Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

REDLANDS, Calif. – The Whittier College women's lacrosse team battled the cold weather at Farquhar Field Saturday night as their second half comeback would fall short in a 13-5 loss to the University of Redlands.

Whittier remains winless on the season at 0-4, 0-4 SCIAC, while Redlands improves to 2-1, 2-0 SCIAC.

Redlands initiated the scoring with three unanswered goals through the first 10 minutes of action.  The Purple & Gold got on the scoreboard at the 19:54 mark from freshman Melanie Rizzotti (Mukilteo, WA) who connected on a free position and Taylor Pool (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) would add her first four minutes later that cut the deficit in half 4-2.

The Bulldogs however would find a run adding four straight in a ten minute span that moved the score to 8-2.  Pool would connect on her second though at the conclusion of the half that kept the Poets in striking distance. 

The second half saw a slowing of offense on both sides of the field, as the teams each found the back of the net only once through the first 18 minutes.  Rizzotti would add her second goal with 16:11 to play that pulled the Poets within five but UR would add four of the final five goals that secured the eight goal victory.  Whittier's final goal came from Rebekah Delledera (Livermore, Calif.) who found the back of the net on a free position.

Nicole Yorba (Poway, Calif.) was again solid between the posts finishing with 18 saves with 11 coming in the first half.

Delledera finished the game with a goal on two shots.  She also added two groundballs, three draw controls, and one caused turnover.  Meesha Robinson (Redondo Beach, Calif.) despite taking just one shot picked up five groundballs and caused a turnover.

Whittier returns home this Wednesday, March 4 as they host Occidental College beginning at 7:00pm.