The University of Redlands women's water polo team faced tough competition on Wednesday night, when it took on the Villanova University (PA) Wildcats in a non-conference showdown at the Thompson Aquatic Center. Despite a valiant effort by sophomore goalkeeper Kelly Grosswendt (Newbury Park, CA) between the pipes, the Wildcats kept up the offensive pressure and eventually handed the Bulldogs a 4-14 loss.

The Wildcats got out to a quick start, as they put up three goals in the opening three minutes. Sophomore attack Sami Walker (Taylorsville, UT) ended the visiting team's run by netting the Bulldogs' first goal to cut the deficit to two.

However, Villanova put up two more goals in the first period and then added four more in the second for a 9-1 advantage at halftime.

The Bulldogs tried to rally in the third, as Walker added another goal with 5:28 left in the third quarter. Sophomore center Kolby Kahahawai (Kailua, HI) followed suit just 40 seconds later to keep chipping away at the hole. Due to the team's stealthy defense, the Bulldogs held Villanova to just one goal in the third.

Freshman attack player Olivia Allen (Santa Monica, CA) banged in a goal in the fourth, but the Wildcats pulled away with a four-score effort en route to the 14-4 decision.

Redlands (4-7) looks forward to competing at the California Baptist University Lancer Invite on Friday, March 10, and Saturday, March 11. The Bulldogs take on Cal Baptist at 12:15 p.m. and Azusa Pacific University at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, before squaring off against Fresno Pacific at 12:45 p.m. and Concordia University – Irvine at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday.