The University of Redlands women's water polo team continued its challenging non-conference schedule with a pair of games at the Cal Baptist University Invitational on Saturday. The Bulldogs fell to Concordia University – Irvine, 7-10, before bouncing back for an exciting 12-11 victory over Cal State University San Bernardino.
Against the Eagles of Concordia, the Maroon and Gray faced an early four-goal deficit and fought through the final whistle but to no avail.
Senior driver Moana Tuipulotu (Lahaina, HI) and junior center Jaci Cochrane (San Bernardino, CA) fired off goals late in the first period to cut the Bulldogs' deficit to three.
Two tight stanzas ensued, before Redlands unleashed three scores in the final frame while giving up just two. However, it was not enough to overcome the early hole.
Tuipulotu and senior driver Jill Stein (Palm Desert, CA) both finished with two scores, while Cochrane, sophomore driver Christina Almazan (Anaheim, CA) and freshman utility player Annie Kinney (Balboa, CA) each chipped in one netter.
Junior goalkeeper Julie Lupfer (San Diego, CA) patrolled the Redlands cage by making seven stops.
Against the Coyotes, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead midway through the opening frame, with Stein and Cochrane accounting for the Maroon and Gray goals.
Moments later, freshman driver Summer Parsons (El Cajon, CA) pushed Redlands' advantage to 4-1, but CSUSB quickly answered by pulling back two goals.
Tuipulotu came up with an important netter at the start of a crazy second stanza for Redlands' 5-3 advantage.
However, the Coyotes responded with three consecutive scores.
Down by one with 3:49 remaining in the second period, Kinney found the back of the net to even the score.
Cochrane and sophomore center-defender Deandra Van Houten (Huntington Beach, CA) unleashed consecutive netters for the Maroon and Gray, resulting in a lead that it would not relinquish.
Nonetheless, the Coyotes refused to just go away, as they kept it close through the third frame.
Up 10-8 at the start of the fourth, Stein and freshman center Meg Claypool (Portland, OR) appeared to put the game out of reach, but CSUSB enjoyed a late, three-goal spurt in the final minutes, making it a one-goal game with 49 seconds left on the clock.
After each team called a timeout, the Bulldogs held on for the important 12-11 victory.
Cochrane paced the offense with four goals, while Tuipulotu and Stein each scored twice.
Junior Becca Woodruff (Davis, CA) and freshman Alma Lopez (Northridge, CA) shared goalkeeping responsibilities, with Woodruff recording six saves and Lopez providing one.
The Bulldogs (3-4) welcome Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges to the Thompson Aquatic Center on Sat., Feb. 23, for a non-conference game with the Athenas at 11 a.m.
