The University of Redlands women's water polo team kicked off Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on the road on Wednesday night by facing off against the Whittier College Poets. The Bulldogs put up a good fight but ultimately fell to the Poets by the final score of 8-18.
After the Maroon and Gray scored one goal in the first quarter off the hand of senior attack player Annie Kinney (Newport Beach, CA), Redlands saw its largest offensive output in the second quarter.
Kinney continued to carry the load early by firing home a score, which was followed by two-consecutive goals from senior utility player Taylor Christie (Anaheim, CA). Sophomore attack player Alea Weber (Haiku, HI) drew an ejection in the final minute of the second quarter as well, bringing a four-goal deficit into the second half.
The Bulldogs went on to score four more goals over the course of the final two periods. Kinney served as the most potent offensive threat down the stretch by scoring goals in the third and fourth quarters. Freshman attack player Sami Walker (Taylorsville, UT) located the back of the net in the third stanza, while freshman attacker Sabrina Scoggin (Ashland, OR) chipped in a score in the fourth frame.
Freshman goalkeepers Katelyn Jenkins (Bellevue, WA) and Kelly Grosswendt (Newbury Park, CA) split time in the cage, earning a combined five saves.
The Bulldogs (2-9, 0-1 SCIAC) travel to Tempe, AZ, to compete in the ASU Tournament starting on Saturday, March 12, by taking on Wagner University (NY) at 11:30 a.m., followed by a match-up against the host school at 3 p.m.