REDLANDS, Calif. (Oct. 12, 2024) – Freshman goalkeeper
Loronzo Angolucci (Pescara, Italy / Serie B) of the Whittier College men's water polo team kept the Poets afloat in a low-scoring affair at the University of Redlands on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams boast plenty of length and athleticism off the ball defensively, and used it effectively through the game's first 16 minutes. While Redlands scored the game's only first-quarter tally, the Poets surged back in the second quarter with three goals to knot the game at 3-3 going into the break. All three came on an advantage in some shape or form, with freshman
Noah Bigara (Cape Town, South Africa / Pinnacle Schools) depositing the Poets' third goal of the game with just under three minutes to go in the half. The Poets acquitted themselves well defensively throughout the game, but particularly in the first half by keeping the Bulldogs at bay.
As the game wore on, so too did the Poets, having played their 10th game of the last 15 days. Angolucci came up big with nine stops and a steal, but it ultimately would not be enough. Meanwhile, Bigara remained a force in the middle with not only a trio of goals, but seven drawn exclusions that also represents a single-game best for any Poet this season. In addition to the South Africa-native Bigara, four other Poets found the back of the net over the 32-minute game.
Head Coach
Preslav Djippov and the Poets will look to regain their momentum when they host a tough Occidental College team on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!
