WHITTIER, Calif. — The Whittier College Poets scored the final goal with 1:20 left and escaped with a 13-12 win against California Lutheran University women's water polo on Wednesday afternoon.
The Regals continued their tough stretch, against the top schools in the conference and the nation. Cal Lutheran lost its third straight game and fell to 6-4 in conference and 13-8 overall.
Kemi Dijkstra and Lexi Rond combined four right goals, four each, to lead Cal Lutheran. The Regals moved the ball well and had an assist for every goal. Kaitlin Gardhouse had the team-high with three. Rond continued her strong offensive play with three drawn ejections.
On the defensive end, Jess Diaz had a team-high four steals. Izzy De Souza was in goal and made seven saves, but took the loss.
The team exchanged goals throughout the first quarter as there were three ties and lead changes. It was a high-scoring first quarter as the Poets had the narrow lead at 5-4.
Whittier pushed its lead to two in the second, but the Regals were always there to respond. It was an instant classic in the first half as the score was tied 7-7 at the break.
The defense picked up in the second, and again, Whittier took a two-goal lead scoring the first two in the third. Cal Lutheran answered once more and the score was knotted at 9-9 going to the fourth.
Cal Lutheran took its first lead since the first quarter and went up 10-9 with 6:25 left in the game. The Regals pushed their lead to 12-10 with 3:41 and looked to break out of their slump.
Whittier, however, had other plans and scored three straight goals to end the game and shocked the Regals.
Cal Lutheran continues the season at home on Saturday and host Chapman for Senior Day at 11 a.m.
Box Score: WC 13, CLU 12
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
