Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Water Polo team hosted their annual Whittier Mini-Tournament Saturday and went 2-1 earning decisive victories over Concordia (19-11), and Occidental (17-4), before falling to No. 3 USC (27-2) in the nightcap.
The Poets have had a strong start to their 2016 season as they remain atop of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III Polls following a 4-1 start.
Game 1 (Concordia; W, 19-11)
Whittier jumped out in front early 4-0 with goals from Cynthia Castillo (Los Angeles, Calif.), Arlin De La Mora (Commerce, Calif.), Isabella Gorrocino (East Los Angeles, Calif.), and Anastacia Gonzalez (Montebello, Calif.). They would add another two before the first quarter ended from Kendyl Riley (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Gonzalez, and they didn't look back as they would add another four in the second quarter to take a commanding 10-3 lead into the break.
The Poet defense proved tough again in the third allowing just three goals. But for the Eagles there was no stopping the Whittier offensive juggernaut as the Purple & Gold continued to pound the back of the cage adding another five strikes before rounding out the lopsided contest with another four in the final period coasting to the eight goal victory.
Gonzalez led the Poets on offense with three goals, while Caitlin Bronzan (Brentwood, Calif.) earned the win between the posts.
Game 2 (Occidental; W, 17-4)
The Poets got their first taste of a conference opponent in their second game of the Mini-Tournament as they rolled past the Tigers of Occidental College 17-4.
Their defense proved stifling as they held the Tigers to just one goal in the first half, while adding nine themselves. 18 players saw time in the pool with junior De La Mora and freshman Lindsay Shoaff (Costa Mesa, Calif.) leading the attack with three goals apiece.
Whittier increased their lead to 15-2 after three quarters and despite giving up two goals in the fourth quarter, the deficit was too much to overcome for Oxy as WC rolled.
Game 3 (No. 3 USC; L, 27-2)
In the last game of the tournament Whittier found themselves matched up against the No. 3 ranked team in the country USC and it proved tough as Whittier managed just two goals in the first quarter from Gorrocino and Angelica Hernandez (Pico Rivera, Calif.). They were shut out the rest of the game but found themselves in a match-up that gave quality experience, which will help with opponents down the road.
Whittier returns to action in two weeks when they move through their eight game home stand on Wednesday, February 24 when they host Occidental College (4:00pm) and Siena (7:00pm).
