The University of Redlands women's water polo team captured two wins to open the 2013 season on Sunday, downing the Poets of Whittier College and the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino during the Redlands Mini-Tournament.
Against Whittier, the Bulldogs fired off seven unanswered goals to take control of the game and cruise to the season-opening victory. Senior driver Jill Stein (Palm Desert, CA) notched the team's first four netters of the game, while senior driver Moana Tuipulotu (Lahaina, HI) unleashed back-to-back scores to quickly make it a 6-0 game. Junior center Jaci Cochrane (San Bernardino, CA) capped off the Maroon and Gray's scoring spree late in the third quarter before Whittier finally found the back of the net.
Tuipulotu and Cochrane both finished with a hat trick, and freshman driver Taylor Christie (Anaheim, CA) added one goal en route to the 11-5 triumph
Junior goalkeeper Julie Lupfer (San Diego, CA) collected four saves while patrolling the Redlands cage, before junior goalkeeper Becca Woodruff (Davis, CA) stepped in to make three stops.
The Bulldogs continued to impress with a 10-3 decision against Cal State San Bernardino, as they jumped out to an 8-1 lead through three frames.
Tuipulotu poured on four goals for the Maroon and Gray, with Stein and Woodruff backing her with two apiece. In addition, Cochrane and freshman Summer Parsons (El Cajon, CA) chipped in one apiece.
Lupfer tallied seven saves and Woodruff provided one for a formidable combination.
In other action, the Poets pulled off a golden-goal, overtime win against CSUSB.
Redlands (2-0) welcomes NCAA Division I opponent, UC Santa Barbara, to the Thompson Aquatic Center on Friday, February 8, for a non-conference bout at 4 p.m.
