THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — California Lutheran University women's water polo started the Tina Finali Memorial Tournament in exciting fashion as Kemi Dijkstra scored the game-winner with 10 seconds left to defeat Cal State Monterey Bay 11-10 and Lexi Rond had the next game-winner to beat Austin College 9-8.
The Regals got their first win of the season and improved to 2-2 on the season. The Regals continue the tournament Saturday with games against Fresno Pacific at 9:15 a.m. and California Baptist at 1 p.m.
Against the Otters of Monterey Bay, Dijkstra, Jessica Diaz and Rond all recorded a hat trick. Bethany Metcalfe and Maddie Stuart both added another goal.
The Regals moved the ball well as Rond and Metcalfe both dished out two assists and four more Regals had one more. Kaitlin Gardhouse and Rond put the offense in great positions to score as the duo tallied four and three drawn ejections, respectively.
Izzy De Souza was in goal. She got the win as she tallied seven saves and one assist. Gardhouse led the team with four steals, Diaz was next with three and Dijkstra and Metcalfe both had two each.
Versus the Kangaroos of Austin, Rond led the way with five goals. Dijkstra added two goals and Katherine Knight and Maddie Stuart added one each.
Diaz kept the ball moving with three assists and Gardhouse was a force with three drawn ejections.
On defense, the Regals tallied 19 steals as the defense was on a mission. Gardhouse had four steaks, while Dijkstra, Rond and De Souza had three apiece. De Souza got the win in the cage. She recorded 12 saves and got the win.
Box Score: CLU 11, CSUMB 10; CLU 9, AC 8
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
