PASADENA, Calif. – After a weekend that featured an upset win over Division III's No. 3-ranked Whittier College, the Chapman University women's water polo team finished its first season in the SCIAC in seventh place overall. The Panthers went 2-2 in the SCIAC Championships to take sixth place in the tournament.
Chapman (14-15 overall, 4-8 SCIAC) entered the tournament ranked No. 7 in the conference and in Division III and were led by freshman driver Miranda Estrella who collected eight goals, eight assists and five steals in the four games.
Game 1: Pomona-Pitzer 18, Chapman 7
The Panthers opened the tournament Friday afternoon against eventual SCIAC champion and No. 2-ranked Pomona-Pitzer with an 18-7 loss. The Sagehens came out strong, scoring 11 goals in the first half while forcing 14 turnovers in the whole game. The 18 goals allowed were the most surrendered by the Chapman defense this season. Senior utility Samantha Martin led the Panthers' attack with two goals and two assists. Freshman 2-meter Keely Dulaney added two goals and the Panthers received a goal from both Estrella and freshman utility Kate Avery.
Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2012-13/files/PPvChapman.pdf
Game 2: Chapman 14, Caltech 4
Saturday's two matches began on a positive note as the Panthers defeated host Caltech 14-4 to stay alive in the tournament. The Panther defense was locked in as sophomore goalie Kirsten Spicer allowed just one goal in the first half and sophomore Jordan Gilmore allowed three in the second and both collected six blocks. Martin and junior driver Julie Case contributed a team-high three goals each. Estrella, freshman utility Alison Quincy and senior driver Samantha McLaughlin all scored twice.
Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2012-13/files/CaltechvChapman.pdf
Game 3: Chapman 13, Whittier 12
The Panthers then took the second match of the day as they upset Division III's third-ranked Whittier 13-12. After falling behind 7-5, the Poets were able to tie the game twice in the second half but never gained a lead. Spicer remained in goal for Chapman and came up clutch, holding the one goal lead over the final 1:38 of the game. It was a team effort as the Panthers collected 14 steals and received goals from eight different players. Quincy led with four goals while sophomore utility Riley Ford added four assists.
Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2012-13/files/ChapmanvWhittier.pdf
Game 4: Cal Lutheran 17, Chapman 9
In the fifth place game on Sunday, the Panthers fell to No. 4 Cal Lutheran 17-9. Chapman could not contain the Cal Lu offense as it scored nine in the first half and eight in the second to earn the victory. The Panthers didn't help themselves as they suffered 14 turnovers in the match. Estrella once again led the Panthers with three goals while McLaughlin and freshman driver Kate Staskus scored twice.
Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2012-13/files/CLUvChapman.pdf
Based on the conference standings and a point system in place for the championships tournament games, Chapman remained in seventh place to conclude the season.
by Bogart Avila & Doug Aiken
Sports Information Intern & Sports Information Director
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