THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's water polo dropped both games in its 2025 home opener on Saturday.

No. 22 CSUN 19, Cal Lutheran 8
In the Regals' morning match they took on 22nd-ranked CSUN and were defeated 8-19.

The first quarter featured a tight game where the Regals found themselves down 0-2 early. With two goals from Chloe Gardhouse and Miranda Miller, Cal Lutheran was able to finish the quarter strong only down 2-3. CSUN rallied in the second quarter, slotting in four goals to increase their half-time lead to 7-2.

The Regals fought back in third quarter with an additional two goals from Miller and one from Gardhouse. Cal Lutheran was able to stay afloat with a 5-12 deficit by the end of the third. Three goals in the fourth from Jacqui Brandon, Claire Daland, and Megan Findlay cut the Matadors' lead to just five. CSUN finished the game with six unanswered goals.

Hudson Geier, Miller, and Gardhouse led the way for the Purple & Gold and in total racked-up five goals, four assists, and four steals.

Azusa Pacific 15, Cal Lutheran 10
The second game of the day featured a back-and-forth battle that just slipped away from the Regals, 10-15. Megan Findlay, Gardhouse, Miller, and Daland each had two goals a piece while Grier had another three-assist game.

Cal Lutheran started the game up 1-0, but ended the first quarter down 2-3 thanks to a last minute goal from Daland in the back line. Azusa Pacific then scored six goals to the Regals' two in the second quarter. At one point Cal Lutheran was down 7-2, but Miller gave the Regals momentum heading into the third with a bar-down score.

The second half consisted of both teams trading goals as the Cougars and the Regals each scored six. Cal Lutheran finished the competition strong, racking up two late goals from Gardhouse and Miller.

Coach Settem was proud of his team and said, "we came out really well against Northridge, but we did not finish the way we know how. We made a couple of mistakes that just cost us. In the second game we battled back and played them even the remainder of the game. I was happy with our effort and the adjustments we made."

Coach Settem also shared the adversity the team has been through with no acces to a pool and power due to the local fires. He said the team needs more time to learn each other and it is hard to do that against tough competition. 

The Regals will take on the University of Toronto at 9:30 AM in an exhibition match on Friday, February 14 at home.