Regals Power Past Panthers

Regals Power Past Panthers

ORANGE, Calif. — Cal Lutheran women's water polo controlled the game from start to finish as they defeated the Chapman Panthers 16-5 on Saturday afternoon in the Allred Aquatics Center. 

The Regals got back to their winning ways as they showcased their offense and defense against the Panthers. CLU recorded a .696 shooting percentage and improved to 11-7 and 5-1 in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference SCIAC) play.

Cal Lutheran goalkeeper Bailey Meyer recorded and impressive 17 saves and the Regals held CU to an abysmal shooting percentage of .152. Meyer's defense then turned to offense as she dished out two assists.

On the offensive end, Christin Hirn and Mackenzie Thomas led the team with four and three goals, respectively. Victoria Rose Meek and Lexi Rond each added two more goals and five more Regals scored one. Mardell Ramirez moved the ball around well and dished out a team-high three assists. 

The offense was 6-for-10 on power play opportunities while holding Chapman to 3-of-8. Rond recorded a team-high three drawn ejections and Kaitlin Gardhouse was next with two. 

Defensively, seven Regals recorded a steal. Leading the way with two steals each was Ramirez and Thomas. 

Hirn got things started as she scored the first goal of the game. After a goal from the Panthers, Thomas scored two goals back-to-back and CLU had a 3-1 lead at the end of the quarter. CLU held CU to just one goal as well in the second quarter, and added two more, for a 5-2 lead at the break. Meek scored both of her goals in the quarter. 

CLU really opened up the game in the second half. Chapman scored first in the second half and cut the lead to two. The Regals fired back, scoring five straight before the Panthers added another, and had a 10-3 lead heading to the fourth. Cal Lutheran kept piling the points on, scoring six in the final quarter, and took the game with a final score of 16-5.

The Regals return home for their next SCIAC contest. Cal Lutheran welcomes Redlands to the Samuelson Aquatics Center on Wednesday with game time set for 4 p.m. 

Box Score: CLU 16, CU 5 
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director