ORANGE, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Water Polo team came away with a huge road win Wednesday night edging Chapman University 7-6, which ended their four-game losing skid.
The Maroon and Grey jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the third quarter, but had to fight off four unanswered by the Panthers to grab the victory. Redlands moves to 6-12, 3-8 SCIAC.
The Bulldogs jumped on the Panthers early with Holly Kvanvig (Beaverton, OR) scoring the only goal of the 1st Quarter coming on a powerplay. Opening up the 2nd Quarter Hannah Long (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), and Kaitlynn Pierceall (Beaumont, CA) went back-to-back extending UR's lead to 3-0, both capitalizing on 6-on-5 situations.
Despite the early goals, it was the defense that allowed the Bulldogs to keep control of the game as they held the Panthers scoreless across the opening 11:15, while allowing a mere two goals in the first half. After CU finally got the scoreboard midway through the frame Katrina Nielsen (Houston, TX) would get into the scoring category with her first of the night and Pierceall followed :30 seconds later bagging a brace as the Bulldogs led 5-1. Sofia Portello (Sonoma, CA) landed the final tally of the half helping to extend the Bulldog advantage to 6-2 heading into the break.
Out of the break Kvanvig would add her second of the game coming within :50 seconds moving the score to 7-2. This lead would prove crucial as Chapman would score four straight the rest of the way. The Panthers would cut the lead to four after three quarters and would outscore the Bulldogs 3-0 in the fourth, while grabbing an opportunity late to tie the game up, but again the UR defensive unit stood tough holding on for the one-goal victory.
Tori Zielinski (Sunnyvale, CA) was strong between the posts finishing with eight saves (.571). Pierceall and Kvanvig each recorded a pair of goals, while Nielsen picked up a goal and two steals.
The Bulldogs finished with 21 shots (.333) on the night and were 2-of-10 (.200) on powerplays.
Redlands looks to keep the momentum going this Saturday, April 9 when they host Caltech for Senior Night beginning at 7:00pm.