While facing fourth-seeded Chapman University, the fifth-seeded University of Redlands women's water polo team showed great heart and determination in Friday's opening round of the 2015 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championships.  After dropping both previous meetings against the Panthers by eight or more goals, the Bulldogs battled through the final whistle but came up just short in a 10-12 decision at Haldeman Pool in Claremont.

After the teams traded scores to start the contest, Redlands built its only lead of the game with a three-goal scoring spree that included two from junior utility player Taylor Christie (Anaheim, CA).

However, the Panthers responded with five-straight goals for a 6-3 lead midway through the second quarter.

Redlands finished out the period with a pair of scores, as Christie and senior attack Tricia Bannister (Naperville, IL) found the back of the net to make it 5-6 at the end of two.

The trend of scoring spurts continued throughout the third period, as Chapman fired off the first two goals in the first three minutes, while Redlands unleashed a hat trick in the final four.  Senior utility player Deandra Van Houten (Huntington Beach, CA) notched the final two scores of the frame for the Bulldogs.

With the score tied at eight, the teams traded scores once again.  But a pair of netters by the Panthers gave them a slight edge at 11-9 with 4:12 remaining on the clock. 

However, Christie stepped up for the Maroon and Gray by cutting the deficit to one with her fifth goal of the game.

But Redlands was unable to score in the final two minutes, while Chapman converted an insurance score, which led to the 12-10 final tally.

In addition to Christie's stellar night, Van Houten provided three netters for the Bulldogs, while Bannister and junior attack Annie Kinney (Newport Beach, CA) each chipped in one.

Junior goalkeeper AC Lopez (Northridge, CA) made seven stops in a complete-game effort between the pipes.

Redlands (6-24, 4-5 SCIAC) continues with the SCIAC Championships by facing eighth-seeded Occidental College in the 7 p.m. match on Saturday, April 25, at the Haldeman Pool on the campus of Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.