The University of Redlands women's water polo team faced off against two NCAA Division-I opponents featuring Harvard University and California State University Northridge on Thursday evening on the road. The Bulldogs experienced struggles in the pool against the strong competition, falling to Harvard, 4-18, and CSUN, 8-16.

 

In the first game, senior attacker Annie Kinney (Newport Beach, CA) and sophomore attacker Rachel Haney (Redmond, OR) netted the opening two scores for the Bulldogs in the first period. Senior utility Caitlyn Freeman (Brentwood, CA) added a goal in the third period, while Kinney remained one of the top offensive weapons for Redlands by nailing a netter in the fourth.

 

In the game-two defeat, the Bulldogs displayed a more potent offense that notched a total of eight goals against CSUN. 

 

Their biggest offensive output came in the opening quarter, as senior utility Taylor Christie (Anaheim, CA), sophomore attacker Michelle Na (Merced Island, WA), and Kinney fired home a score each to stay within striking distance at 2-3.

 

Unfortunately, a lone second-quarter goal by Christie found the Bulldogs in a deep hole at 3-9.

 

Na picked up the momentum for the Maroon and Gray in the third quarter by firing home a score, which was backed by a netter from freshman attacker Sami Walker (Taylorsville, UT). Freshman utility Kolby Kahahawai (Kailua, HI) and sophomore attacker MaryKate Hunter (Redlands, CA) added goals in the fourth, but the Bulldogs ultimately fell by a score of 8-16.

 

The Bulldogs face off against VMI and Macalaster College on Friday, March 18, at home in the Thompson Aquatics Center. Game times are set for 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.