Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Water Polo team survived an upset bid by the Regals of Cal Lutheran University Wednesday night as they held on for the 6-5 road win in overtime.

Jenel Rivera (Whittier, Calif.) made the first connection for the Purple & Gold with 1:28 to play in the first quarter but saw CLU come back down on their next possession to tie things up. 

The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 for the first four minutes of the second quarter until Zyania Morales (Commerce, Calif.) was able to find the back of the net that put WC back on top.  But again the lead wouldn't hold as the Regals would add the equalizer a minute later.

Lindsay Shoaff (Costa Mesa, Calif.) got into the mix with under three minutes to play that moved the score to 3-2 but with 1:37 to play in the half Cal Lutheran would capitalize on a man-up that evened the game once again.

The game remained low scoring in the second half with a combined four goals being added.  Hannah Ellett (Merced, Calif.) added the go ahead goal right out of intermission but at the end of the eight minute frame the game remained tied once again at 4-4.

In the fourth the defensive stand continued on both sides.  CLU was able to strike first in the final period to go in front for the first time but Morales came down on Whittier's ensuing possession and connected for her second of the game that forced the game into overtime.

In extra time, Whittier had the lone tally with the game winner coming from Isabella Gorrocino (East Los Angeles, Calif.) with :35 seconds left.  CLU managed to get one last look for the tie as they had a 6-on-5 with :15 seconds left but were unable to convert as Whittier held on for the one goal victory.     

Whittier (11-14, 3-0) remains on the road this weekend, Saturday, April 1 as they take on the University of La Verne beginning at 11:00am.