The No. 1 University of Redlands women's water polo program dropped back-to-back contests at the University of La Verne Mini Tournament on Saturday. Competing at Las Flores Park, the Bulldogs came up short against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges and NAIA opponent Concordia University-Irvine in non-conference action.
Going up against the Sagehens, Redlands faced an early deficit after Pomona-Pitzer fired off five goals in the second period. The Bulldogs never recovered and eventually lost to the familiar foe by a score of 7-13.
Both junior driver Moana Tuipulotu (Lahaina, HI) and senior center Jaime Nippert (Gresham, OR) registered a multi-goal performance with three and two netters respectively.
Sophomore goalkeeper Julie Lupfer (Riverside, CA) stopped nine Sagehen shots.
In the Bulldogs' second game, the squad fell in a tightly contested battle to Concordia-Irvine, 7-8. After halftime, UR held a slim 6-5 advantage, but the Eagles evened up the score at seven apiece in the third frame. Concordia put the game away for good with the lone score of the fourth quarter.
Junior center Jill Stein (Palm Desert, CA) led the Maroon and Gray attack by notching a two-goal effort. Five other Bulldogs found the back of the net as well.
Once again, Lupfer patrolled the Redlands cage, tallying seven saves in the one-goal loss.
Redlands (2-3) returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 25, when its hosts the Redlands Mini-Tournament No. 2. The Bulldogs take on Azusa Pacific University in the first match at 9 a.m. and then battle it out with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 11 a.m.
