Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Water Polo team provided a scare for the top ranked Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer Saturday morning falling 8-5 at the Slade Aquatic Center.
Coming into the match-up Whittier was ranked No. 4 (84 Points) in Division III according to the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) polls, while Pomona-Pitzer ranked No. 1 (100 Points).
But in the match-up Whittier gave them all they could handle holding a 4-2 lead at halftime and then again at 5-3 with under five minutes to play in the third quarter before seeing it slip away. At the final whistle Pomona-Pitzer was able to come from behind to win 8-5, snapping the Poets winning streak at four games.
The Purple & Gold move to 5-4, 1-1 SCIAC.
Roni Ramirez (La Habra, Calif.) and Marina Daroca Bazan (Barcelona, Spain) gave the Poets an early 2-1 lead after the opening ten minutes with both connections coming on power-play opportunities. In the second Teresa Marchetti (Messina, Italy) and Taylor Kleinert (Lodi, Calif.) were able to find the back of the goal putting the Poets on top 4-2 at the break.
But in the second half the wheels fell off as Whittier was outscored 6-1 over the final 16:00 minutes, with their lone goal coming from Anastacia Gonzalez (Montebello, Calif.). Whittier was outscored 4-1 in the 3rd quarter and then 2-0 in the 4th allowing PP to come from behind to win.
Whittier was outshot 23-22 and was 2-for-5 on power-plays. Tahlia Pou (Stockton, Calif.) got the start in goal and finished with two saves and a steal. Lauren Tapia (Whittier, Calif.) played the whole second half and added two saves as well.
Ramirez finished with a goal and an assist. Sawyer Bellville (Chino, calif.) was limited but was able to pick up an assist and three steals, while Gonzalez finished with a goal and two picks.
Whittier remains in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play this Tuesday, March 12 when they host Caltech beginning at 7:00pm.
