REDLANDS, Calif. (Mar. 23, 2024) – The Whittier College women's water polo team put together a late surge as the Poets vied for their second SCIAC victory in the last three games against the University of Redlands.
While the Bulldogs ultimately won a 9-8 game, the Poets put themselves in a position to win late after senior
Jaycee Morris (Lake Elsinore, Calif. / Temescal Canyon) converted on a powerplay goal with just over one minute remaining in the game. This put the onus on Redlands to post a quality possession, as Whittier would ultimately get the ball back for one last scoring opportunity that unfortunately came up just short.
Fourth-quarter scoring proved eventful for both teams. Redlands took a one-goal lead into the final period, and managed to extend its lead to three. However, the Poets came roaring back in the final four minutes of the game, scoring three of the final four goals. The first goal of the Poets' late rally came off the right hand of junior
Haley Kivett (Beaverton, Ore. / Southridge) for her second goal of the game. Both of the junior's goals came on the powerplay, and she also tallied an assist to make it a three-point effort for the day. Classmate
Margarita Moreno (Hacienda Heights, Calif. / Los Altos) matched Kivett with two tallies and an assist, while Morris paced the Poets with eight total shots. Junior
Gaby Spoonhower (Yorba Linda, Calif. / Esperanza), meanwhile, set the attackers up around her with a season-high four assists.
Zooming out further, the Poets managed to outscore the Bulldogs, 6-4, in the second half, where the trio of Morris, Kivett and Moreno began to find their footing. However, junior
Chloe Gardhouse (Agoura Hills, / Calif Agoura) also had a profound impact on the game, drawing three exclusions and potting one of the visitors' final three goals of the game. Her three drawn exclusions tied Morris for the team lead. Meanwhile, strong play from sophomore goalie
Candace Tezak (La Habra, Calif. / La Habra) helped the Poets weather the storm early and ultimately rebound in the second half. She made five saves and swiped two steals from the Bulldogs that helped pave the way for a pair of strong offensive possessions for the Purple & Gold.
Head Coach
Preslav Djippov and the Poets will look to get back to their winning ways when they host California Lutheran University on Wednesday, Mar. 27 for a 7 p.m. game.
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