THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Despite being more than half way through the season, today the Cal Lutheran women's water polo team opened Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action against Chapman. Inside of the Samuelson Aquatics Center, the teams exchanged goals and played an evenly matched game that needed extra time and ultimately went in favor of the home Regals by a 13-11 score.
CLU trailed 2-1 after the first frame and 5-4 at halftime, but came back to work a 3-2 goal advantage in the third and the teams each netted three in the fourth. After being shutout in the first overtime, the Regals teamed up for three goals, holding the Panthers off the board, over the final three minutes to secure the win.
Overall, Jordan Card and Amanda Jones scored four times apiece, with Jones tacking on a trio of assists, while the remaining goals came from Maddie Campbell,with two, Kaylee Kastrup, Tatiana McCuaig and Logan Young. Additionally, McCuaig dished out four assists, Kastrup and Young earned five and four steals, respectively, Card drew three ejections and Gina Merry notched 13 saves with a steal and an assist.
On the first possession of the game CU took an early lead, but Card countered in set on a pass from Jones to equalize. Merry's first save of the contest kept the teams even and a steal by Kastrup gave CLU its first chance to get ahead. When the Regals were unable to do so, the Panthers tallied their second goal of the first frame, a lead that would hold through the final five minutes. CLU generated ample opportunities, but a number of shots sailed just wide, leaving the home squad at a one goal deficit after the opening eight minutes.
In the second stanza, Cal Lutheran struck first when Jones found the back of the net on an assist from McCuaig before following with a one-on-nobody. Merry made four consecutive saves, though on the next attempt, CU put up another crooked number. Young responded from six meters out at the top of the key with just over two minutes remaining in the period to earn CLU a 4-3 advantage, but the Panthers put in two more before the buzzer to take a one goal lead into halftime.
Out of the break, the Regals won the sprint and Campbell scored after a CU defender tipped the ball and again the teams were knotted, at 5-5. In a man-up situation, McCuaig scored on a cross pool pass from Lauren Shackelford for a 6-5 lead. CU responded and McCuaig, Jones and Card promptly teamed up to break a 6-6 tie with just over three minutes remaining in the third. A five-meter shot for Chapman made it 7-7 and Merry made a save at the buzzer to keep the teams tied going into the fourth quarter.
Two minutes in, Card earned a steal and a five-meter shot from Jones was converted to put Cal Lutheran on top momentarily, because on the ensuing CU possession they scored again. Another Card steal led to another Card goal and a 9-8 lead. With 23 seconds in regulation, in a 6-on-5, Chapman punched its ninth goal of the game, putting the ball back in the hands of the Regals for one more possession Campbell converted it for a 10-9 lead with two ticks to play, but the game wasn't quite in the books as the Panthers responded with a half-pool pass from Kirsten Spicer that was tipped in by Lindsey Campbell to send the game into overtime.
A defensive battle occurred in the first OT until Chapman scored in a 5-on-5 with 24 seconds to go. In the second three-minute period, the Regals earned a kick out and took a timeout at 2:18. Out if the huddle, CLU executed and Kastrup knotted the score back up. She got back at the defensive end to force a turnover and moments later Jones followed suit and scored the ultimate game-winner. CLU regained possession of the ball and Card all but put the game away by giving the Violet and Gold a 13-11 cushion in the waning seconds.
Chapman was led by three goals from Lindsey Campbell while Kirsten Spicer had 10 saves in goal.
Cal Lutheran (5-12, 1-0 SCIAC) will be on the road for its next two games, beginning on Wednesday, March 25 when the Regals travel to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps for a 4:00 p.m. first sprint with the Athenas.
Box Scores: CLU 13, CU 11 (2OT)
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