WHITTIER, CA. (APR. 3, 2024)- The Whittier College women's water polo team took on their SCIAC foe, the Cal Tech Beavers, in a conference matchup Wednesday night. The Poets got off to a great start in this game and thanks to a career night from Morris were able to secure the 12-7 victory.

In the first quarter the Poets came out ready to fight, Jaycee Morris (Lake Elsinore, Calif., Temescal Canyon HS, La Salle University) scored the first goal of the game less than one minute into the quarter. Then about a minute later, Alexandra Haluska (Brea, Calif., Brea Olinda HS, Fullerton College) extended the lead with her first goal of the game. The Poets played great defense this first quarter and with less than one minute left in the period Morris connected on her second goal. The Beavers were able to score 1 in the final seconds, but Candace Tezak (La Habra, Calif., La Habra HS, Fullerton College) was exceptional in goal already having 3 saves. Whittier was up 3-1.

The second quarter was much of the same for the Poets. Morris and Tezak continued to dominate this game. About two minutes into this second period, Morris had already doubled her goals and was standing at 4. Tezak continued to be a wall, only allowing 1 goal with a little less than three minutes left. Morris was not done though, scoring her third goal of the period and giving the Poets a 6-2 lead at halftime. 

Whittier continued to move the ball well on the offensive end of the pool at the start of the second half. Morris picked up right where she left off and netted her 6th goal of the game about two minutes into the half. The Beavers were able to score next, but their goal was followed by 2 more from the Poets. Allyson Patrikian (Simi Valley, Calif., Royal HS) and Chloe Gardhouse (Agoura Hills, Calif, Agoura HS) were able to find the back of the net with some floating shots. Cal Tech scored the final goal of the period; however, Whittier held a 9-4 lead going to the final period. 

Opening up the fourth, Haley Kivett (Beaverton, Ore., Southridge HS) was able to fire one past the Beavers goalie on a penalty shot for her first goal. There was then a series of goals on 3 straight possessions. Cal Tech scored first, but was then followed by another Morris goal, then finally another Cal Tech goal. With about a minute and a half remaining Cal Tech scored once again to make the score 11-7. But Gaby Spoonhower (Yorba Linda, Calif., Esperanza HS) put the final touches on this game with her first goal in the final 30 seconds, to secure the 12-7 victory. 

The Poets played great tonight, as 6 different girls scored goals and 7 had points. Morris set a new career-high in goals, finishing with 7 while also dishing an assist. Haluska, Patrikian, Gardhouse, Kivett, and Spoonhower each tallied a goal and at least one assist. Margarita Moreno (Hacienda Heights, Calif., Los Altos HS) had 2 assists and a steal. While Gardhouse paced the defense with 3 steals, and Tezak tallied 7 saves. This was an excellent 12-7 victory for the Poets and they will look to carry the momentum over tomorrow. They will be hosting Cal State East Bay at 3:00 tomorrow at the Lillian Slade Aquatics Center at Whittier College.