CLAREMONT, CA. – The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Women's Water Polo semifinal match between Pomona-Pitzer and Whittier College was a lopsided affair as the Sagehens cruised to a 15-3 victory over the Poets. The lopsided victory was mostly accredited to the defense as Anna Yu, Nohea Kahaulelio, and Bella Villa did an excellent job disrupting the Poets' offense, making timely interceptions and denying them easy looks at goal. The trio combined for eight steals. Kahaulelio and Villa co-led the team in scoring, putting up three points each.
Season Impact: The victory propels the Sagehens to the SCIAC Final as they improve to a 21-10 record overall.
The Hens wasted little time to get on board as Jocelyn Castro slipped in the opening goal thanks to a long pass from Samantha Martinez. Martinez fired a bullet-like shot to make it 2-0 and Kahea Kahaulelio made it 3-0 with 4:36 left in the first period. Villa poked in a shot at close range to give the Hens a 4-0 lead at the end of the first period.
Kahea scored on a five-meter penalty to start the second period and Natalie Hill later followed with a ricochet shot to extend the lead 6-0. The Poets got one back with 3:34 left in the half, but Nohea and Villa scored back-to-back to go up 8-1. The Hens led 9-2 at halftime.
The Sagehens' offense took their feet off the pedal, but the defense refused to relent. The Hens scored four goals in the third period, while the defense shut out the Poets as the home side led 12-2 after three periods.
The Poets could not muster a rally, scoring their next goal with 18 seconds left on the clock as they fell 15-3.
Up Next: The Sagehens will host Cal Lutheran for the SCIAC Final on Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m.
