The University of Redlands women's water polo team kicked off its home schedule by facing off against the Long Beach State University 49ers and the Azusa Pacific University Cougars on Saturday morning at the Thompson Aquatic Center. The Bulldogs put up a hard-fought effort against both teams, but ultimately fell to the LBSU, 5-20, and then lost to the Cougars, 4-13.
In game one against LBSU, Redlands faced an early deficit but fired right back to tie it up at 1-1 with a goal off the hand of freshman attack player Sami Walker (Taylorsville, UT). Sophomore attack player Alea Weber (Haiku, HI) added a score late in the opening frame to push the score to 2-5.
The Bulldogs continued to battle, as senior utility player Taylor Christie (Anaheim, CA) netted their lone score in the second frame. Senior attack player Annie Kinney (Newport Beach, CA) held responsibility for the next two goals, with one coming in each of the ensuing periods.
Senior goalkeeper AC Lopez (Northridge, CA) manned the posts in the second half and hauled in a few impressive saves down the stretch, including a big stop against a LBSU penalty shot.
In game two, APU came out firing to put Redlands in a five-goal hole early on. Christie notched the Bulldogs' only score of the first frame. The Maroon and Gray battled to play an even fourth quarter that included netters from freshman attack player Sabrina Scoggin (Ashland, OR) and sophomore attack player MaryKate Hunter (Redlands, CA). Scoggin finished the game with two goals.
The Bulldogs (0-4) travel to Thousand Oaks on Friday, February 26, to face off against CSU Bakersfield at 1 p.m. and Fresno Pacific University at 4:45 p.m. in a mini-tournament hosted by Cal Lutheran University.
