Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Whittier College Women's Water Polo team jump-started their 2020 season over the weekend going 2-2 across the two day Bruno Classic hosted by Brown University.
Whittier split both days of the tournament falling to No. 17 Harvard (20-9) and RV Brown (11-3). But still managed to pick-up a pair of Division I victories against Long Island University (14-13) and St. Francis (PA) (13-10).
Game 1 (No. 17 Harvard – L, 20-9)
It was a tough start to the classic for the Purple & Gold facing off against the No. 17 ranked Crimson of Harvard University. They were outscored 12-3 in the first half and despite putting up six tallies across the final 16:00 minutes, it wasn't enough to stop the high-powered Harvard offense.
After falling behind 2-0, Amelia Gregorio (Aventura, FL) would cut the deficit in half with a power-play connection. Harvard would then pick up another three to move the score to 6-1 until Natasha Velez (La Habra, Calif.) would end the run at the :45 second mark. The Crimson would string together five unanswered to start things off in the second quarter. Velez would add her second of the game with under a minute to play in the half but WC still trailed by nine.
Whittier found their offense in the 3rd period putting up four goals from Kaitlin Howard (Hacienda Heights, Calif.), Sawyer Bellville (Chino, Calif.), Ally Burke (Las Vegas, NV) and Grace Arnsparger (Long Beach, Calif.). But even with the tallies Whittier saw themselves trailing by double digits heading into the fourth.
Across the final 8:00 minutes it was low scoring with a combined five goals being scored. Teresa Marchetti (Messina, Italy) picked up her first of the game and Velez completed the hat-trick.
Game 2 (Long Island University; W, 14-13)
The big game on the day came against Long Island University where WC was able to edge the Sharks 14-13. LIU, who is in their inaugural season proved a tough test for the Purple & Gold despite being a new program. The game was back and forth in the early stages. The Poets added the first two goals of the game from Marchetti and Velez. But that advantage was short-lived as LIU would rally with two of their own that tied things up.
Then with under 3:00 minutes to play in the frame Sawyer Bellville (Chino, Calif.) came alive with a pair that gave WC back the lead at 4-2. Things turned in the 2nd quarter with the Sharks outscoring the Poets 6-2 to take an 8-6 advantage into the half. The two goals in the quarter for Whittier came from Burke and Arnsparger.
It was a tight battle in the second half, but Whittier was able to swing the momentum back outscoring LIU 5-3, which included strikes from Bellville, Burke, Velez, and Arnsparger. This tied things up 11-11 heading into the final quarter where Whittier continued their momentum. Across the final 8:00 minutes Whittier was able to hold the slight edge at 3-2. Marchetti would pick up two quick goals that moved the score to 13-11. The Sharks stopped the run at the 5:35 mark but right after that Velez would complete hat-trick and the crucial game-winner.
Pou and Tapia combined for eight saves in the win.
Game 3 (Brown – L, 11-3)
It was a close opening quarter against Brown with Whittier seeing themselves trailing 2-1 after a power-play connection from Burke. But the middle two frames proved crucial as Brown would go on to outscore the Poets 9-1 to take an 11-2 lead into the 4th quarter. Marchetti scored the only goal in the 2nd period and Amanda Hernandez would tack on the final tally late in the 4th.
Between the posts Tahlia Pou (Stockton, Calif.) and Lauren Tapia (Whittier, Calif.) combined for 12 stops.
Game 4 (St. Francis (PA); W, 13-10)
The Poets wrapped up the Bruno Classic with a big match-up against St. Francis (PA). The Red Flash gave WC some pushback tying things up after three quarters of play. But a big 4th would put WC on top as they would hold on for the 13-10 victory.
It was a close opening quarter with Whittier holding the slight 5-4 advantage. Marchetti got the scoring started and Bianca Vera (Los Angeles, Calif.) would connect for her first of the Classic that moved the score to 2-1. Arnsaprger then moved the lead to two with a power-play goal and Burke and Bellville would tack on two late that gave WC the 5-4 lead.
The defensive unit stood strong in the 2nd quarter for the Purple & Gold shutting out the Red Flash, while adding another three goals from Bellville and Burke. This moved the score to 8-4, but it wouldn't hold as St. Francis would hand it right back outscoring WC 4-0 in the 3rd quarter that knotted the game up at 8-8. Marchetti got the offense back going to start off the 4th with back to back tallies. St. Francis would stop the run at the 5:52 mark but after that it was all Whittier outscoring the Red Flash 3-1 behind strikes from Velez, Burke, and Bellville.
Whittier has two weeks of preparation before traveling to the Bulldog Classic next weekend, February 15-16, hosted by the University of Redlands. Over the two days they will take on Cal State Northridge (Feb. 15), Concordia (CA) (Feb. 15), Toronto (Feb. 16), and Ottawa (Feb. 16).
