Spring season arrives as women's polo travels to Redlands

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women's water polo team will officially kick off the spring sports season on Saturday as it opens the 2014 campaign at the Redlands Tournament. The Panthers return nearly half of their roster that finished in seventh place in its first season in the SCIAC last year.

Chapman (14-15 overall, 4-8 in SCIAC in 2013) will open the tournament against host University of Redlands at 9 a.m. and then face Cal State San Bernardino at noon. The Panthers are currently ranked No. 7 in the CWPA's Week 1 Division III rankings. Redlands is ranked No. 3.

Veteran goaltending will be a strength of this year's squad with juniors Kirsten Spicer and Jordan Gilmore protecting the cage. The duo combined for an 8.75 goals-against average last season and 310 saves in 29 games.

Chapman also returns ACWPC All-America honorable mentions sophomores Alison Quincy and Miranda Estrella, two of the team's top three goal scorers from a year ago. Quincy, who was also named to the All-SCIAC team as a freshman, led the Panthers with 42 goals and added 35 steals (third on the team) in 2013. Estrella nearly joined the 30-30 club with 30 goals and 29 assists in her rookie campaign, as well.

Junior utility Riley Ford will also be leaned on heavily amongst the returners after scoring 22 goals and leading the team with 35 assists last season.

Following its season-opening tournament, Chapman will have to wait a month to play another game when it travels to the Cal Lutheran Tournament on March 1. Chapman will welcome Division I opponent Villanova University (Pa.) on March 5 in its home opener at the Allred Pool. The Panthers will begin SCIAC play on March 19 at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, which tied for second in the conference last year.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports
Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports
#CUPanthers