RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Water Polo team dropped their first two games of the 2024 season at the California Baptist University (CBU) Lancer Joust as they lost 12-4 against Fresno Pacific University (FPU) and 26-7 to host CBU.
Game 1 (Fresno Pacific; L, 12-4)
Courtney Sawin (Tacoma, WA) countered the Sunbird first goal as she tied the game at one with 5:50 on the clock in the first quarter. After the first eight-minute period of the season the Bulldogs trailed 4-1 and would go into the half down six, 7-1, as they were held scoreless for nearly 14 minutes.
Less than three minutes into the third Kaitlynn Pierceall (Beaumont, CA) was able to take advantage of a 6-on-5 situation as she made it a six-goal deficit, 8-2, with 5:18 left in the quarter.
Two minutes later Emma Parker (Yucaipa, CA) was set up by Sofia Portello (Sonoma, CA) for the third Bulldog goal. The fourth and final goal came off another Portello assist as she found Anika Lundbaek (San Anselmo, CA) with 2:40 left in the game as Redlands lost their season opener 12-4.
Evelyn Teeter got the start in goal and made eight saves for a .400 save percentage as she faced 35 total shots and played with one fewer defender six times.
Game 2 (Cal Baptist; L, 26-7)
After conceding the opening three goals int he second match-up on the day, Parker got the scoring started with a goal at the 5:09 mark of the first. Parker would score for a second time with 2:12 remaining as the Bulldogs took advantage of a powerplay.
With 3:38 left in the half Parker netted her hat trick as it was a nine-goal deficit, 12-3. Lundbaek scored the second powerplay goal of the first half as Redlands would trail 15-4 at the break.
Lucia Notaro scored her first collegiate goal 58 seconds into the third quarter.
Then over the final 1:50 Portello was able to convert a powerplay and Parker capped off the game with her fourth connection as the Bulldogs lost 26-7.
Redlands will open their 2024 home schedule this Saturday, February 3 when they host No. 21 California State University, Northridge at 9:00 a.m. and Azusa Pacific University at 1:00 p.m. inside the Thompson Aquatic Center (TAC) as part of Bulldog Mini #1.
