Women's Water Polo Splits with Redlands and Whittier

POMONA, Calif. - The Austin College women's water polo team split its first two games of its weekend trip to California on Friday, as the 'Roos were edged 11-10 by Redlands before bouncing back with a dominant 11-4 victory over Whittier. The 'Roos are now 2-6 overall on the year.

The 'Roos raced out to a 4-2 lead after the opening quarter against Redlands, with Ashlyn Thomas getting the scoring started with a tally at the 5:36 mark and led 4-1 before a late goal by Redlands cut it to a two goal game. Austin College's lead grew to 6-3 at halftime, but the 'Roos were held scoreless in the third as Redlands trimmed it to a 6-5 game.

Things went back and forth in the final quarter, with Redlands squaring things at nine goals apiece with 2:21 left before a McKenna Malone goal put the 'Roos back on top. However, Redlands found the back of th enet with 1:10 to play and scored the game-winner with 26 seconds left to hand the 'Roos the narrow defeat. Joslyn Dimitri and Malone each had two goals for the 'Roos, while Thomas, Bianca Gallegos, Ashley Chand, Mikhaela Torres, Sophia King, and Clara Koenig all tallied once.

Against Whittier, the 'Roos once again got out to a fast start, outscoring the Poets 3-1 in the first quarter and pushing the margin to 5-1 at halftime. Austin College scored three goals in the third and three more in the fourth to cap off the dominating defensive victory, with Ashley Easley making three saves in the win. 

Chand led the way with three goals for the 'Roos, while Morgan Evans, Dimitri, and Thomas each found the back of the cage twice. Gallegos and King rounded out the scoring with one goal each. Austin College is back in the pool on Saturday when they face off against Cal Lutheran and Caltech.