U of R Women's Water Polo Proves Tough at Home for Regals

Image credit: Beth Doolittle
Image credit: Beth Doolittle
Posted: Mar 16, 2022

REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Water Polo team dropped a home Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game against Cal Lutheran University (CLU) Wednesday afternoon 9-4 at the Thompson Aquatic Center (TAC). 

The Bulldogs (4-8, 1-5 SCIAC) got off to a strong start thanks to Holly Kvanvig (Beaverton, OR) who scored the game's opening goal at the 6:16 mark. But after that the Maroon and Grey were unable to convert any other chances the rest of the quarter as they trailed after the first eight minutes, 4-1.

The second quarter started just like the first with the opening tally coming from the U of R this time courtesy of Hannah Long (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) who got setup by Katrina Nielsen (Houston, TX).  After three Regal connections, the Bulldogs flipped the script holding CLU scoreless over the final 3:07, while getting their third goal of the game trimming the deficit to four, 7-3, after Kvanvig found Emma Parker (Yucaipa, CA). 

Redlands continued with their defensive effort to start the third quarter holding the Regals scoreless over the first 4:57.  But during this time the Maroon and Grey were unable to find the back of the net too as they saw the deficit stretch to five. 

The U of R ended their scoring drought at the 4:49 mark of the fourth quarter as Christine Chua (Arcadia, CA) found the back of the net off a Breanna Bailey (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) feed. Despite the tough and aggressive defense put on by the Bulldogs they were unable to capitalize on late opportunities though, as they would fall 9-4.  A huge takeaway for Redlands was on the defensive end holding CLU scoreless for the final 11:57, while allowing just two goals over the last 19:07 after the Regals previously scored seven times in the first half.   

UR outshot the Regals (26-to-20) and had five more steals (11-to-6). Kvanvig was the only player with multiple goal contributions with one goal and one assist. She added two steals to her afternoon as well. Nielsen had an assist and two steals, Bailey tailed an assist and a steal, and in goal Tori Zielinski (Sunnyvale, CA) played all 32 minutes and recorded seven saves for a .438 save percentage with a pair of steals. 

Redlands remains at the Thompson Aquatic Center this Saturday, March 19 at 11:00 a.m. when they will host Occidental College.