The University of Redlands women's water polo team completed day two of the Bulldog Invitational by taking on Cal State East Bay and the University of Toronto (CAN) on Sunday at the Thompson Aquatic Center. After falling to the Pioneers, 5-14, in the opener, Redlands endured a defensive-heavy showdown that included rain, cold, and wind but suffered a 4-5 heartbreaker to the Varsity Blues.
Against Toronto, neither team scored in the opening 10 minutes of a defensive stalemate. First-year attacker Ally Feeley (Menlo Park, CA) put one on the board for the Bulldogs with 5:14 to play in the second quarter.
However, the Varsity Blues answered with two goals over the next three minutes to head into the break with a slight 2-1 advantage.
Redlands gained an equalizing goal from senior center Kolby Kahahawai (Kailua, HI) about two-and-a-half minutes into the third for the only score of the period.
Now tied at two with eight minutes to go, the teams stepped up their offense and produced five goals to exceed the previous three periods combined. They traded back-and-forth scores, as junior Hunter Olivier (Indio, CA) and Kahahawai found the back of the net for the Maroon and Gray. Sophomore defender Sarah Draves (Fallbrook, CA) and Olivier provided the assists on these respective goals.
Unfortunately for the home team, Toronto mustered the final score with 1:11 left in the game to steal away the win.
Senior Katelyn Jenkins (Bellevue, WA) recorded nine saves in a complete-game showing.
In the first contest of the day, the Bulldogs battled East Bay in a tight first quarter, with each goalkeeper coming up with big stops. Redlands' only score of the frame came off a great second effort by Kahahawai with 4:39 left in the period.
However, the Pioneers scored five goals in each of the next two quarters to gain a comfortable lead.
Redlands' remaining goals came in the second and fourth stanzas, as Olivier completed a hat trick that included a pair of assists from sophomore attacker Kayla Takakura (Wailuku, HI).
Jenkins patrolled the cage for 24 minutes and tallied 10 saves and one steal in a valiant effort.
Between the two Redlands matches, Cal State East Bay pulled out an exciting 9-8 win over Toronto. The teams appeared very evenly matched throughout the contest, with CSUEB gaining a slight edge in the second quarter. Overall, Briana Ruiz, Adrien Van Dyke, and Ivanna Anderson tallied two goals apiece. For the Blues, Caitlyn Tiedje carried the offense with four goals.
Redlands (0-6) heads to Minnesota for the Macalester Tournament on Saturday, February 23, and Sunday, February 24.
