Bulldog Women's Water Polo falls to No. 1 Pomona-Pitzer 16-6

Image Credit: Lily Robertson-Mindell
Image Credit: Lily Robertson-Mindell

REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Water Polo team (3-14, 2-3) lost to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) leaders and No. 1 team in the country Pomona-Pitzer 16-6 Saturday afternoon at the Thompson Aquatic Center (TAC).

Emma Parker (Yucaipa, CA) got the Bulldogs on the board at the 5:28 mark of the first quarter as the two sides had combined for four goals in the opening 2:32. Trailing 4-1 in the final minute of the quarter, Anika Lundbaek (San Anselmo, CA) setup Parker for her second tally with :28 seconds remaining.

Breanna Bailey (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) got Redlands back within two goals, 5-3, at the 4:51 mark of the second. The Sagehens responded though, this time scoring three unanswered to take an 8-3 lead with under two minutes to play in the half. Kaitlynn Pierceall (Beaumont, CA) was able to get a late goal with three seconds on the clock as she connected from long range, beating the keeper into the far-right corner of the net.

In the third, Pomona-Pitzer took control of the game with a 7-0 period as Redlands found themselves down by double digits, 15-4, after 24 minutes. Despite the tough quarter, the Bulldogs' defense was able to get back on track in the fourth, allowing only one goal in the final 9:07 after 15 were scored in the first 22:53. The UR defensive unit opened up opportunities for the offense outscoring the Sagehens, 2-1, in the final quarter. Hannah Long (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) scored both of the connections, both coming on powerplays.

Long and Parker each scored braces as Bailey and Pierceall each netted one. Long, Sofia Portello (Sonoma, CA), and Lundbaek each assisted on goals as well. Defensively Parker drew an exclusion and had two steals. In goal Tori Zielinski (Sunnyvale, CA) continued her All-American quality play with 12 saves, a .429 save percentage, and three steals.

The Bulldogs head on the road for a SCIAC matchup with Whittier College next Wednesday, March 29 beginning at 7:00 p.m.