THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Cal Lutheran women's water polo started their 2023 season against Division I and II competition on Saturday. The Regals fell to D-I CSUN 13-9 and D-II Concordia-Irvine 12-7.

Against CSUN, Jacsen Donohue, Kemi Dijkstra and Bethany Metcalfe scored two goals each. The Regals fought hard and trailed the Division I opponent 9-8 with 6:48 left in the game. Cal Lutheran showed it can battle with top teams as they scared the Matadors. CSUN held on and took the game. 

Versus Concordia-Irvine, Kaitlin Gardhouse recorded a hat trick to lead the Violet and Gold. Defensively, Reyna Clark and Metcalfe came up huge with two steals each. The Regals found themselves in a huge hole against the Eagles, 8-1, but never backed down and fought back. The Regals cut into the lead, but it was too much to overcome as Concordia-Irvine took the game. 

The Regals first eight games are at home. Up next, Cal Lutheran welcomes Westcliff to the Samuelson Aquatics Center on Friday at 4 p.m.  

Box scores: CSUN 13, CLU 9; CUI 12, CLU 7 
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