REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Water Polo team nearly pulled off the upset of the year Wednesday night at the Thompson Aquatic Center falling on a late goal to Whittier College 9-8.
Head Coach Chris Gielen continues to provide one of the toughest defensive units in the conference holding their ninth opponent this month to single digits. With the loss the Bulldogs drop to 5-11, 2-7 SCIAC and have now dropped six of their last seven.
The Maroon and Grey gave the Purple & Gold all they could handle in a seesaw battle. UR won the opening sprint of the 1st Quarter and capitalized with Emma Parker (Yucaipa, CA) converting off a feed from Breanna Bailey (Rancho Cucamonga, CA). After a tying goal from Teresa Marchetti on Whittier's opening possession Bailey came down at the 6:30 mark and used a power play to put the Bulldogs back on top 2-1. But again WC was able to answer this time, as Alex Lopez would connect making it four straight possessions that a goal was tallied for both teams.
Whittier had an opportunity to go back on top earning a 5-meter penalty midway through the quarter. But the ensuing shot from Marchetti would be stopped by Bulldog keeper Tori Zielinski (Sunnyvale, CA) keeping the game tied. The Poets were able to extend the lead back to one at 3-2 soon after, but it wouldn't hold as senior Holly Kvanvig (Beaverton, OR) would use another 6-on-5 advantage to deadlock the game once again.
As time was winding down in the quarter the Poets continued to get looks on goal, but Zielinski was coming up big with a trio of stops. Then with under :15 seconds to play the Bulldogs had a costly turnover, which WC used as Ally Burke would come down and convert in transition moving the score to 4-3.
Only two goals were scored in the 2nd Quarter, one from each team keeping the deficit at one heading into the break. Whittier connected on their opening possession to make it a two-goal game and Kvanvig would use another power play to keep it close at the 6:01 mark.
Out of the break it was all Redlands outscoring the Poets 2-1. It was an offensive fury at the start with a combined five shots being unloaded on frame. Only one though would find the back of the net coming from Marchetti who moved the deficit back to two with an even strength goal with under three minutes to play. After that Sofia Portello (Sonoma, CA) and Kaitlynn Pierceall (Beaumont, CA) would go back to back that leveled the game at 6-6 heading into the final 8:00 minutes.
In the 4th Quarter a combined five goals would be scored. UR got off two great looks to start with Katrina Nielson (Houston, TX) hitting the crossbar followed by a Parker shot that was saved by Poet keeper Alexys Puche forcing David Kasa, Head Coach for Whittier to call a timeout. WC used that break to their advantage tallying the go-ahead goal at the 6:31 mark. Two minutes later Parker was able to tally her second of the game when she found an opening back post to tie the game up at 7-7. After that a pair of turnovers by UR proved crucial as WC was able to use them both to get out in transition quickly, while extending the lead to two at 9-7. With under a minute to play Kvanvig was able to answer completing the hat trick denting the twine with a full strength connection that cut the deficit to one. But that was the final offensive possession for the Bulldogs as Whittier was able to hold on for the one-goal victory.
The Bulldogs took 22 shots with a .364 shot percentage, while going 3-for-8 on power plays (.375). Kvanvig led the offense finishing with three goals, Parker put up two and Pierceall, Bailey, and Portello each tallied one a piece. Zielinski was red hot all night between the posts finishing with 15 saves (.625), a season high with a pair of steals.
Redlands remains in conference play this Saturday, April 2 when they host the University of La Verne beginning at 7:00pm.