FRESNO, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Water Polo team (0-8) had their best defensive performance of the season Saturday morning in a 13-8 loss to the University of California, Merced during the Fresno Mini-Invitational.

The Bulldogs put themselves behind early allowing the Bobcats to jump out to a 4-0 lead.  But Emma Parker (Yucaipa, CA) and Alyssa Sorrell (Highland, CA) would come back with two of the next three goals as the U of R found themselves down 5-2 early in the second quarter.

After UC Merced scored their sixth goal of the morning Parker would go back-to-back in less than a minute as the Bulldogs pulled within two, 6-4, with 2:40 remaining in the first half.

The lead extended back out over the final two minutes of the half as the Bobcats found the back of the net three times to extend the lead to 9-4 at the half.

The Bulldog defensive unit stepped up to begin the third, not conceding a tally for more than five minutes, while Christine Chua (Arcadia, CA) found Parker on a powerplay and Anika Lundbaek (San Anselmo, CA) beat the keeper to make it 9-6.

Much like the end of the second quarter, however, the Bobcats again put a 3-0 run together to put the game away. Lundbaek and Parker did finish the game strong with goals as it finished 13-8.

Parker finished with five goals, two drawn exclusions, and a steal. Lucia Notaro (Thousand Oaks, CA) drew two exclusions and Aubree Nabors (Conroe, TX) made the start in goal and made six saves with two steals.

The Bulldogs will have next weekend off before going to Claremont for the Convergence Tournament, where they play four games in two days beginning on February 28 at 11:30 a.m. against Austin College.