Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College women's water polo team dominated the competition Saturday during the Whittier Mini-Tournament cruising to the 17-8 victory over Redlands before rolling past Concordia (Calif.) 16-11 to improve to 3-1 on the season.
In four games this season the Poets have outscored their opponents 54-47 and now have a two game winning streak.
Game 1 (Redlands – W, 17-8)
Whittier took on the Bulldogs in a non-conference match-up and jumped out quickly 5-0 in the first quarter with goals coming fromIsabella Gorrocino (2) (Monterey Park, Calif.), Cynthia Castillo (Los Angeles, Calif.), Arlin De La Mora (Commerce, Calif.), andJenel Rivera (Whittier, Calif.).
UR got on the board first in the second quarter and would tack on a second midway through but the Purple & Gold managed to add another three from Rivera, Gorrocino, and Kaitlin Vera (Fullerton, Calif.)that pushed the score to 8-3 at the break.
Whittier and Redlands swapped goals early in the third quarter before three unanswered by WC would extend the lead to 13-5. That's all they needed as they would tack on another four with three coming in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory.
Gorrocino finished with five goals, while Rivera picked up three.
Game 2 (Concordia – W, 16-11)
For the second time this season the Poets found themselves matched up against Concordia (Calif.) and for the second consecutive time Whittier has emerged victorious beating the Eagles 16-12 during the Lancer Mini #1 back on January 31.
Gorrocino continued where she left off from the first game adding all four goals in the first period for Whittier putting them in front 4-3. The Poets wasted little time in the second quarter adding four consecutive tallies that moved the score to 8-3 (Gorrocino, Castillo, Rivera, Angelica Fernandez (Richmond, VA)). The Eagles managed to add another with 1:08 to play that cut the deficit in half 8-4 at the break.
The third quarter finished deadlocked with each team adding three goals. But in the fourth the Poets extended their lead to five outscoring CUI 5-4 en route to the victory.
Gorrocino finished with eight goals bringing her one day total to 13. She was joined by Rivera with two, Zyania Morales (Commerce, Calif.) with two, and Hernandez with two.
Whittier returns to the pool next Saturday, February 14 when they take part in the Lancer Mini #2 where they will take on CSU Bakersfield at 10:15am and Pomona-Pitzer at 3:15pm.
