The University of Redlands women's water polo team traveled to Claremont to take part in the annual Gary Troyer Memorial Tournament on Friday, March 2. Amongst tough competitors, the Bulldogs fell twice in non-conference action.
Redlands took on St. Francis University (NY) in the opening game of the tournament. After the Terriers jumped on the board first, the Maroon and Gray rallied right back with a goal from sophomore attacker Olivia Allen (Santa Monica, CA) off a quick pass from junior attacker Katelyn Jenkins (Bellevue, WA).
The teams continued to trade scores, with senior defender Stefanie Goldbach (Huntington Beach, CA) finding the back of the net to knot the score at two apiece.
The Terriers added two more goals before the end of the first period, forcing Redlands to work from behind in a 2-4 tally.
The next frame included great defense from both teams, with St. Francis scoring only one as the sole goal of the second quarter.
After the Terriers distanced themselves with four-straight goals through the third and part of the fourth quarter, junior center Kolby Kahahawai (Kailua, HI) initiated a small scoring spurt for the Bulldogs, as she scored an unassisted goal. First-year attacker Katelynn Holloman (Wildomar, CA) quickly followed with a goal less than a minute later off an assist by first-year defender Sarah Draves (Fallbrook, CA).
However, St. Francis scored two more in the final three minutes to hand the Bulldogs a 4-12 loss.
Despite the loss, junior goalkeeper Kelly Grosswendt (Newbury Park, CA) stepped up with 15 stops between the pipes.
Redlands returned to the pool for an afternoon matchup against NCAA Division II opponent, Cal State Monterey Bay.
First-year center Alina Waldo (Portland, OR), Kahahawai, Allen, and first-year attacker Kelly Klish (Glenview, IL) provided Redlands' first-half scores. Despite the quality goals, the Otters orchestrated a huge first half to put the Maroon and Gray in a 4-9 hole through two frames.
Kahahawai chipped in two more goals to wrap up the nightcap game. Despite a solid defensive showing, Redlands finished with a 6-12 loss on day one of the tournament.
Kahahawai ended the day with a team-leading four goals, while Grosswendt added five saves in game two for a 20-save total on the day.
The Bulldogs (1-8, 1-0 SCIAC) return to the Gary Troyer Memorial Tournament, on Saturday, March 3, for games against McKendree University (IL) and UC Santa Barbara. Game times are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.