THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – California Lutheran Women's Lacrosse stepped on the field this morning for their first game in 717 days. The Regals began the 2022 season with a conference matchup against the Poets of Whittier College. In what was only the 7th game in Cal Lutheran's history, Whittier took the win 17-5.
The Regals played much of the game working hard on defense and trying to regain possession after struggling on the draw. The Poets controlled 19 of 25 draws in the game.
Defensively, the Regals forced the Poets into 13 turnovers, led by senior Sirena Borja who had 2 caused turnovers while fellow senior Sloan Sanders and freshman Meghan Angus each had 1 caused turnover a piece.
In goal for the Regals, graduate student Cameron Mendez posted a career high, and Cal Lutheran record, 18 saves in a very impressive return to the cage. She also set the school record for save percentage in a full game with 51.4%.
The first goal of the season, and first of her college career, went to freshman Emma Jobs who found the back of the net on an 8m attempt to make the score 1-2. The Poets would push out to an 8-1 lead before freshman Hena Koeberl scored her first collegiate goal to give the Regals a boost to end the first quarter.
Whittier started the second quarter man up due to a Cal Lutheran penalty. The Poets took advantage for that goal and the next four to end the half up 13-2.
The Regals rallied after the break, outscoring the Poets 3-1 in the third quarter. Freshman Meghan Angus scored her first collegiate goal on a pass from junior Arielle Esparza who recorded the first assist in Cal Lutheran history. Whittier took advantage of another man up situation for their only goal of the third before Emma Jobs picked up her second 8m goal and Hena Koeberl ripped a shot through a seam in the defense for her second. The third quarter ended with the Whittier leading 14-5.
In the fourth quarter, the Poets were able to hold the Regals scoreless while adding 3 goals for a final score of 17-5.
This game marked the collegiate debut of 8 different players for the Regals.
Box Score: CLU 5, WIT 17
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Release by Steve Lohn, Assistant Sports Information Director
Photo by Logan Bury
