Quincy scores game-winner as Chapman beats Villanova in home opener
ORANGE, Calif. – In their first home game of the season, the Chapman University women's water polo team edged out a 9-8 win over Division I opponent Villanova on Wednesday at the Allred Aquatics Center. Freshman utility Alison Quincy broke an 8-8 tie, scoring the game-winning goal with 1:53 remaining to secure the win for the Panthers.
Chapman relied on strong defense in a close game that featured four lead changes. Goalkeeper Kirsten Spicer tallied six blocks including a key stop in the final seconds of the contest while Quincy and junior Julie Case combined for seven steals.
The Panthers jumped out to a 3-2 lead in the first quarter, highlighted by a goal from freshman Rylee Boland, who scored as time expired. In the second quarter, Quincy would score the first of her two goals to give Chapman a 4-3 advantage heading into the break.
The Wildcats started the second half with the hot hand as Sarina Shibata and Hannah Ishida scored to give Villanova a 5-4 lead. The Panthers jumped right back out in front, scoring twice to take a 6-5 lead into the final quarter.
Ishida dominated the final quarter, scoring three of her game-high five goals in the first 5:40 to tie the game up at 8-8. However, the senior center's performance would come up short as Quincy's late goal gave Chapman the edge.
Freshman driver Miranda Estrella and senior utility Sam Martin scored two goals each while sophomore utility Riley Ford added a goal and three assists. Martin and Quincy are tied for the team lead with seven goals each while Ford is pacing the Panthers with six assists.
The Panthers will be back in action this weekend as they compete in the Claremont Convergence, taking on Cal State San Bernardino and Concordia on Friday followed by UC San Diego and Caltech on Saturday.
by Ryan Cavinder
Sports Information Assistant
Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2012-13/files/VU-CU.pdf
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