THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Cal Lutheran women's water polo team continued its dominant run in conference play on Saturday morning, defeating Whittier 14-8 at the Samuelson Aquatics Center.

The Regals improved to 9-9 overall and 5-0 in SCIAC action behind an impressive performance from Kelsee Espitia, who scored a career-high four goals while adding two assists to pace Cal Lu's attack.

The Purple & Gold wasted little time getting on the board, striking quickly in the opening quarter. Reyna Clark started the scoring before Aleaha Gonzalez and Espitia followed with goals during the early surge. Olivia Hurley capped the stretch as the Regals built a multi-goal advantage and led 4-2 after the first.

The offense continued to roll in the second quarter as Lauren Lohmeier converted on a penalty shot, and both Espitia and Hurley found the back of the cage late in the period to help the Regals take a 7-4 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was all Cal Lu, with Gonzalez scoring twice early in the frame and Espitia netting her third of the day during the dominant stretch. Lohmeier added two more goals as the Regals pushed the lead into double digits heading into the final quarter.

The Regals scored twice in the fourth as Espitia and Waileia Lee closed out the scoring, while the defense held off a late Whittier push to secure the 14-8 win.

Espitia led the way with six points on four goals and two assists. Gonzalez added three goals and an assist, while Lohmeier finished with three goals. Hurley contributed two goals and an assist, and Clark added a goal and an assist while recording a game-high five steals.

Defensively, Cal Lutheran forced 15 steals in the contest. Izzy de Souza made five saves in three quarters of work before Sophie Raquel came on in relief to close out the game.

The Regals will face a major conference test in their next matchup, traveling to take on reigning national champion Pomona-Pitzer at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18.