THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — On a rainy and windy Friday, Cal Lutheran women's water polo was up for the challenge as they defeated Ottawa (Ariz.), 8-7, for their first win of the season.
It was day one of the Tina Finali Invitational and the weather did not want to cooperate. Kaitlin Gardhouse scored the game-winner with 22 seconds left and the defense did the rest. Earlier in the day, the Regals fell Fresno Pacific 13-6.
To start the day, Cal Lutheran took on Fresno Pacific. Six different Regals scored as Gardhouse, Katie Knight, Lauren Lohmeier, Megan Findlay, Kemi Dijkstra and Tori Portillo all found the back of the net.
Gardhouse and Knight drew two exclusions each and Gardhouse, Madeline Raab and Portillo all had an assist. Defensively, Gardhouse recorded two steals. Goalkeepers Izzy De Souza and Vianne Will split time in goal and both made five saves.
To cap of their day, the Regals fought hard as they picked up the win against Ottawa. Dijkstra recorded a game-high four goals. Knight was next with two goals and Gardhouse and Paige Woodside had one each.
Jacsen Donohue kept the offense moving with two assists and Gardhouse and Lohmeier had one each. Gardhouse led the team with three drawn ejections and Donohue, Knight, and Findlay had two each.
De Souza got the win as she tallied four saves and three steals. Will also played and had three saves and one steal.
The Regals continue the invitational on Saturday with Cal Baptist at 8 a.m. and Azusa Pacific at 1 p.m.
Box scores: FPU 13, CLU 6; CLU 8, OU 7
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