The University of Redlands women's water polo team hit the road for a pair of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) tilts on a busy Saturday. The Bulldogs began the day with a solid, 13-4 victory over Caltech before taking a 4-16 loss to Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.
Against the Beavers, Redlands immediately opened things up with a six-goal first period and eventually stretched the advantage to 11-2 through the midway point of the game. From here, the Bulldogs stayed in front for the sizable win.
Junior center Kolby Kahahawai (Kailua, HI) initiated the Maroon and Gray's scoring with her goal at the 7:31-mark of the first frame. Over Redlands' next six goals, first-year attacker Katelynn Holloman (Wildomar, CA) notched two, while first-year defender Jena Suzuki (Wailuku, HI) and junior defender Carmen Gardner (South San Francisco, CA) each offered a goal and an assist.
After Caltech took advantage of a power play for a goal, the Bulldogs went back to work when first-year center Alina Waldo (Portland, OR) fired one past the goalkeeper off an assist by junior attacker Wendy McAleer (Simi Valley, CA).
The teams traded scores, as Redlands opened a five-goal spurt through the 6:37-mark of the fourth quarter. Holloman completed her hat trick with her third netter of the game, while junior attacker Katelyn Jenkins (Bellevue, WA) notched her second goal, with this one coming off an assist by first-year defender Sarah Draves (Fallbrook, CA). Finally, Kahahawai found an open senior attacker Michelle Na (Mercer Island, WA) to cap off the nice offensive outburst.
Although Caltech scored twice in the final four minutes, Redlands' victory was never in question.
Junior goalkeepers Allison Totzke (San Bernardino, CA) and Kelly Grosswendt (Newbury Park, CA) provided 10 saves, collectively.
The Bulldogs made the short drive to Pomona-Pitzer for the second, conference contest of the day. Unfortunately, Redlands suffered the opposite result against the Sagehens and struggled to counter their proficient offense.
After Pomona-Pitzer scored twice, sophomore attacker Olivia Allen (Santa Monica, CA) found the back of the net to make it a one-goal game with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter. However, the Sagehens went on a 6-1 run through the second stanza to own an 8-2 lead. Redlands' second netter came off the hands of junior attacker Sami Walker (Taylorsville, UT).
The Bulldogs battled throughout the remainder of the game but only scored twice en route to the loss. Walker and Kahahawai each notched a goal in the second half for Redlands.
Totzke and Grosswendt joined forces in the cage for a combined nine saves.
Redlands (7-19, 5-6 SCIAC) returns home on Wednesday, April 11, for a conference showdown against the Whittier College Poets. The first sprint is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Thompson Aquatic Center.