WHITTIER, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2026) – Facing a pair of top-10 opponents, the Whittier College women's water polo team showed resilience and firepower over the weekend, highlighted by a statement road win over No. 8 Occidental after a competitive home battle with No. 6 Macalester.
Game 1: Macalester 7, Whittier 5
Competing at home inside Lillian Slade Aquatics Center, Whittier came out strong against nationally ranked Macalester, jumping ahead early behind senior Alexandra Haluska (Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda), who scored twice in the opening quarter to give the Poets a 2-0 lead.
The Poets continued to apply pressure in the second period, with Shirley Ramirez (Moreno Valley, Calif. / Moreno Valley) finding the back of the cage to keep Whittier in front. Despite the strong start, Macalester responded with a decisive third quarter, stringing together three goals to shift momentum.
Whittier stayed within striking distance down the stretch, as Kayla Arias (Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda) netted two fourth-quarter goals to cut into the deficit, but the Scots were able to hold on late.
Haluska and Arias each led the Poets with two goals, while Jayz Tomisa (Honolulu, Hawaii / Roosevelt) and Madison Mathewson (Hayward, Calif. / Moreau Catholic) contributed assists. In goal, Annie Marcucci (Lake Elsinore, Calif. / Lakeside) recorded two saves as Whittier matched Macalester shot-for-shot in a tightly contested matchup.
Game 2: Whittier 12, Occidental 7
The Poets bounced back in a big way on the road, traveling to Los Angeles and delivering one of their most complete performances of the season in a 12-7 victory over No. 8 Occidental.
Whittier set the tone early, scoring four first-quarter goals behind Arias, Haluska, and Tomisa to build an early advantage. The offense continued to click throughout, but it was a dominant fourth quarter that sealed the win, as the Poets poured in five goals to pull away.
Haluska led the charge with four goals and two assists, while Arias matched her with four goals of her own. Madison Mathewson added a hat trick, and Tomisa orchestrated the offense with three assists to go along with a goal.
Defensively, Whittier stepped up against a high-powered Occidental attack, with Aubrie Kirkby Tatro (San Luis Obispo, Calif. / Arroyo Grande) making 10 saves in goal to anchor the effort.
Head Coach Preslav Djippov and the Poets move to 4-17 overall and 3-4 in SCIAC play. Whittier will return to Lillian Slade Aquatics Center on Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. to take on the La Verne Leopards in conference action.
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