George Washington shuts door on Chapman in fourth quarter

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women's water polo team suffered a 13-8 loss to visiting George Washington University on a rainy Saturday afternoon at the Allred Aquatics Center. This was the Panthers' first time playing the Colonials since 2009, when the Panthers lost 14-7.

Chapman (9-7) got off to a slow start, giving up two goals in the first two minutes of the game before freshman utility Riley Ford put one in the back of the net to make the score 2-1. Ford led the team with four goals in the game, scoring two in the first quarter.

George Washington (7-8) never trailed, with Chapman getting as close as 8-7 with 4:27 remaining in the third quarter after a goal from junior driver Sami McLaughlin. Clinging to an 8-7 lead, George Washington ran off back-to-back goals by sophomore 2M Katherine Berry and senior driver Monica Hanson in the final minute of the third quarter. Hanson's goal came as time expired to end the third quarter.

Ford narrowed George Washington's lead to 11-8 with 4:36 remaining in the game but Chapman could not get any closer as George Washington scored the game's final two goals.

Chapman sophomore utility Juliana Botting had a team-high three assists and four steals while freshman goalie Jordan Gilmore made a career-high 15 saves. George Washington's Rachael Bentley led the Colonials with five goals in the game, three of which were made in the first quarter. 

The Panthers host Connecticut College at the Allred Olympic Pool on Wednesday March 21 at 4:00 p.m.

by Aileen Yoon
Sports Information Intern

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