CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Pomona-Pitzer women's water polo team won their home opener 6-4 over Sixth Street Rival Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Allison Sullivan Wu led the attack with two goals and one steal. Haley Crabtree ended the night with seven saves, finishing the game with a .636 saves percentage.
Low Scoring Battle
The Sagehens fought off some early pressure from the Athenas, recording four exclusions in the first three minutes, forcing Haley Crabtree to make some big saves. The Athenas peppered the cage in the opening minutes but Crabtree was strong, saving all three of the Athenas' shots that were on frame.
Paulina Correa got the Sagehens on the board after Katherine Cullen stole the ball and found an open Correa. Correa capitalized on the opportunity and gave Pomona-Pitzer a 1-0 lead with 3:51 to play in the first period. The Sagehens kept their foot on the gas as Madison Lewis found the net with 3:26 left in the first period, making it 2-0, a score that would hold into the second quarter.
Allison Sullivan Wu was the next Sagehen to tally after Madison Lewis dished it out, giving the Sagehens a 3-0 lead with 6:44 left in the second quarter. The Athenas responded with a goal of their own with even strength, finding the cage to make it 3-1 with 5:49 left on the clock.
Extending the Lead
The Sagehens won the sprint to start the third quarter with Paulina Correa grabbing the ball. The Athenas scored on a powerplay, making it 3-2 in favor of Pomona-Pitzer but Allison Sullivan Wu put the Sagehens back up by two with 4:24 left in the third quarter. The Athenas were charged with a penalty foul and Nadia Paquin ripped it to the net on a penalty shot to make it 5-2 with 3:37 left in the third.
Holding On
After the Sagehens' Nadia Paquin netted another goal, the Athenas protested with the referees and Paquin's goal was eventually taken off with the fourth quarter restarting.
After three minutes of scoreless play, the Athenas were battling back, scoring goals just seconds apart to make it 5-4 in favor of the Sagehens. Lucie Abele regained momentum for the Sagehens with a goal on a powerplay, making it 6-4 with 3:59 remaining in the fourth.
Nadia Paquin went to the cage and made a big time save with just over 30 seconds left in the game. Paquin's save would be the last play of the game as the Sagehens defeated the Athenas 6-4.
What's Up Next
The Sagehens have a busy weekend coming up as they help co-host the Convergence Tournament with action starting on Mar. 6 at 10:00 a.m. against St. Francis (Pa.).
