THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Cal Lutheran women's water polo started conference with a win as they defeated Redlands 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon.

It was a defensive showing as the Regals shut down the Bulldogs. It was the lowest amount of goals they have given up all year. 

Goalkeeper Izzy De Souza was big in the cage and recorded 12 saves and three steals. Bethany Metcalfe added three steals and Kaitlin Gardhouse had two more. 

Offensively, Kemi Dijkstra and Jacsen Donohue had two goals each and Katie Knight and Metcalfe added one each. Meltcalfe dished out two assist and Donohue and Dijkstra had one each. Dijkstra had a team-high four drawn ejections and Gardhouse was next with three. 

The defenses came out in full force to start the game. It was tied at 1-1 until Metcalfe found Dijkstra for the lead with three seconds left in the first quarter. The Bulldogs tied the game up in the second and it was knotted at 2-2 with four minutes to go. Redlands had a chance to take the lead, with a breakaway, but De Souza denied them. The Bulldogs goal was the only goal of the second quarter as the game was tied at the break. 

The second had the same script as the defenses dominated the game. Both goalies were brick walls as the game remained tied until 13 seconds left in the third. Metcalfe gave her squad the lead and momentum heading to the fourth. Both teams opened the quarter with a goal and the Regals had a 4-3 lead with 4:17 left. With 3:53 remaining, Donohuepushed the lead to two. The defense and De Souza did the rest as the Regals took the game.

The Regals hot the road for their next four competitions. Cal Lutheran is at Occidental on Saturday at 11 a.m. 

Box scores: CLU 6, UR 3
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