Jordan Gilmore (Larry Newman Photography)
Jordan Gilmore (Larry Newman Photography)

Panther women take two at the Allred Pool

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women's water polo team earned its first two home wins of the 2014 season and kicked off a seven-game homestand the right way, defeating visiting Macalester College (Minn.) 15-4 and Connecticut College 12-6 at the Allred Pool on Thursday.

Junior utility Riley Ford led the way for Chapman (7-12) with seven goals in the two games and the Panthers' defense totaled 26 steals, as well.

Game 1: Chapman 15, Macalester 4

Ford helped the Panthers jump out to a 4-0 lead in the first 2:10 by scoring three times and Chapman never looked back. Meanwhile, the Panther defense allowed just one goal in the first half, thanks to 15 saves in the game by junior goalie Kirsten Spicer. Freshman 2-meter Emily Fong scored a pair of third-quarter goals for the Panthers, who pulled away in the second half for their first home victory of the season. Ford finished with four goals in the game and freshman 2-meter Emiko Mizusawa and senior driver Allison Harf each totaled four assists.

The win snapped a skid that included eight losses in Chapman's last nine contests.

Boxscore: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2013-14/files/MAC-CU.pdf

Game 2: Chapman 12, Connecticut College 6

Trailing 2-0 to begin the game, Chapman scored six consecutive goals in the first and second quarters to build a 9-3 lead at halftime. Junior attacker Emily Holmquist scored the go-ahead goal with 1:54 remaining in the first quarter, one of her three goals in the game. She and Ford combined for four of the Panthers' six second-period goals, which proved to be more than enough offense for the Cardinal and Gray. Sophomore driver Miranda Estrella scored a pair of goals and added three assists.

Junior goalie Jordan Gilmore made 12 blocks and added two steals in the cage for Chapman, which won back-to-back games for the first time since beginning the season 2-0.

Boxscore: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2013-14/files/CC-CU.pdf

The Panthers will host the Chapman Tournament on Saturday, featuring four teams and six games at the Allred Pool beginning at 8:30 a.m. Chapman will play three times against this same Connecticut College team (8:30 a.m.), as well as Cal State East Bay (1 p.m.) and San Diego State (7 p.m.).

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2013-14/files/SC-CU.pdf

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