THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — California Lutheran University women's water polo picked up its first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) win of the season as the Regals downed the La Verne Leopards 11-5 on Wednesday afternoon.
The Regals wrapped up a trip to the Harvard Invite over the weekend, facing four Division I opponents. Cal Lutheran brough that experience back with them to California and into conference play. The Purple and Gold improved to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in SCIAC play.
It all started with the defense as the Regals held La Verne to just two goals in the first half. Izzy De Souza was in the goal and made her presence known early and often.
Cal Lutheran scored four in the half to double-up the Leopards. With the Regals down 2-1, Kemi Dijkstra scored a goal and Jessica Diaz went back-to-back. Cal Lutheran carried that momentum into the second half.
The Regals put more pressure on the Leopards in the second half. Cal Lutheran opened the half with two goals, curtesy of Lexi Rond and Bethany Metcalfe.
The Purple and Gold made it three goals in the quarter, while holding La Verne to zero, and had a 7-2 lead heading to the fourth. The teams exchanged goals in the fourth as the Regals took the game.
De Souza recorded 13 saves as she shutout the Leopard in the second and third quarters. The Regals defense tallied 12 steals in all. Diaz recorded a team-high six and Dijkstra added three more.
Rond led the way with four goals as Diaz added two more. Jacsen Donohue dished out three assists and Kaitlin Gardhouse and Dijkstra had two each.
The Regals hit the road this weekend for a doubleheader. Cal Lutheran plays at Chapman and take on the Panthers at 11 a.m. The Regals then get Virginia Military Institute at 3 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 11, ULV 5
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
