RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Water Polo team opened up their 2023 schedule Friday during the Lancer Joust Invite with a pair of losses to Division II opponents Biola University (10-7) and California Baptist University (15-5). 

Game 1 (Biola University | L, 10-7)

The Bulldogs outscored the Eagles by four goals, 6-2, in the first and third quarters, but were unable to finish either half well, getting outscored 8-1 by the Eagles. Hannah Long (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) led the way offensively with four goals and Tori Zielinski (Sunnyvale, CA) made 10 saves with a .500 save percentage.

Despite what was a good start to each half for the Maroon and Grey, the Bulldogs conceded the first two goals of the game in the first four minutes. Long and Katrina Nielsen (Houston, TX) would wake up the offense with a pair of goals in the final 2:36 as the game was tied at two after eight minutes.

The second quarter was a struggle throughout as UR allowed four unanswered goals allowing Biola to take a 6-2 lead into the break. 

Redlands came out firing in the third quarter scoring four times while holding the Eagles scoreless as they deadlocked the game at six. In the third, the Bulldogs got three more goals from Long, while Emma Parker (Yucaipa, CA) picked up her first goal of the season.

A minute into the fourth quarter Parker netted her second goal of the morning as the Bulldogs took their first lead of the game, 7-6. 

Redlands' defensive unit continued their strong play, holding the Eagles scoreless down to the 4:26 mark of the fourth, ending a period of 12 minutes and 39 seconds where the Bulldogs did not allow a goal. Unfortunately the Buldog offense was not able to find the back of the net the rest of the way, while the Eagles would tally three to get the win, 10-7.

Game 2 (California Baptist University | L, 15-5)

Redlands wrapped up the first day of the invite against the host Lancers from CBU Friday night when they lost in a true road game. 

The Bulldogs opened up the scoring first with a goal from Parker at the 6:38 mark of the first quarter. Then on the other end of the pool UR's defense held the Lancers scoreless for nearly four minutes before they scored four unanswered going in front 4-1 after eight minutes.

Another goal by UR to start the second quarter would get things going once again, this time from first-year Ainsley Killian (Beaverton, OR) who found the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career.

But similar to the first quarter, the Lancers would find a late run as they took a 7-2 lead into the half.

CBU extended their 3-0 run from the third quarter to six in a row as their lead grew to eight, 10-2, with 4:33 remaining on the clock. Long was able to halt the Lancer run with her first goal of the nightcap following a four-goal output against Biola in the morning.

Long scored again early in the fourth and Breanna Bailey (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) earned her first goal of the season to draw the Bulldogs within seven, 12-5. But over the final 4:15, would tack on another three goals that secured the win. 

Overall, the Lancers scored 10 of their 15 goals as unanswered connections to end the first, second, and fourth quarters after the Bulldogs opened the first and second with a goal.

Long added two goals and finished day one with six tallies, tying her for the third most in the tournament. In goal Zielinski added nine more saves and two steals. She finishes with 19 saves, second most in the tournament.

Redlands will end the two day event with a pair of games tomorrow at 10:45am and 4:45pm when they take on Fresno Pacific University and Azusa Pacific University.