LA VERNE, Calif. - For the first time in seven years the Cal Lutheran women's water polo team advanced to the semifinals of the 2017 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championships. Unfortunately, facing top-seeded Whittier, the fourth seeded Regals dropped a 16-5 decision this afternoon.
While defense was a staple for the success of the Regals during the regular season, a breakdown at that end of the pool was the difference today as a 7-4 first quarter deficit turned into a 12-5 disadvantage at halftime and while CLU tacked on two more goals in the fourth frame, the hole was too much to overcome in a tough loss.
Megan Seeman helped Cal Lutheran to four first possessions by winning each sprint and notched two goals in three attempts to share the team scoring lead with Kristi McGee. The remaining three goals came from KC Brendel, Victoria Rose Meek and Nikki Roed. Both Roed and Seeman handed out assists in the game as well. CLU was aggressive, drawing 11 exclusions with two apiece from Brendel, Meek and Sam Wulfestieg.
In front of the cage, Bailey Meyer recorded 10 saves and had two of the eight steals. McGee led the way with three and Logan Young nabbed two. Additionally, McGee and Mardell Ramirez each got a hand on a field block.
Turnovers also hurt CLU today as the team combined for 16. The giveaways, combined with a hot .516 shooting percentage from the Poets was the difference. WC out-shot Cal Lutheran 31-24 and converted 2-for-4 man-advantage situations while CLU was just 1-for-11 in power plays.
Cal Lutheran (15-12, 6-4 SCIAC) is scheduled to face host and third-seeded La Verne in the third place game at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday. LV defeated CLU 11-9 during the regular season.
Box Score: WC 16, CLU 7
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