Sports in Brief Issue 6

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Women’s Water Polo (2-15 overall, 0-1 SCIAC)

The Occidental women’s water polo team (2-15 overall, 0-1 SCIAC) had some rest and recovery time before entering the heart of their conference schedule, opening SCIAC play with a single match last week. The Tigers traveled to Cal Lutheran, drawing a tough opponent as they dove into league play with a 10-8 loss. The black and orange came out of the gate on fire, as Lindsay Albino (senior) drew first blood with a goal early in the first quarter. Occidental’s defense then took over, shutting down the Regals’ offense until the final minute of the period. The black and orange maintained a balanced offensive attack throughout the match-up, putting up a season-high 32 shots on goal with five different Tigers scoring at least one each. Sophomore Lizzy Kosin, Kelsey Shyba (senior) and Katie Gibbs (junior) were the primary benefactors of the unit’s offensive output with Kosin and Gibbs recording their first multi-goal performances on the campaign. But the Regals were able to find the back of the net with regularity, and the Tigers could not overcome Cal Lutheran’s zone defense, dropping a heartbreaker by just two points. The Tigers host Redlands tonight at 5 p.m. in Taylor Pool and travel to Pomona-Pitzer Saturday at 11 a.m.

Men’s Tennis (2-11 overall, 0-3 SCIAC)

The Occidental men’s tennis team struggled to find their stroke during an arduous 2014 season schedule. A majority of the Tigers’ difficulties have stemmed from competing every day for a week. Without time to fully recover, the black and orange dropped matches against Salisbury, Tufts, Trinity, Denison, Redlands and UC Santa Cruz. However, the squad recently broke its seven-match losing streak with a gritty 6-3 victory over Lewis & Clark. Despite the grueling calendar, ace Josh Dancu (junior) has recorded an impressive 5-0 singles record during the stretch and was a major force in propelling the Tigers over the Pioneers, capturing a No. 1 singles victory and a No. 1 doubles victory alongside partner Avery Howard (sophomore). The unit takes back to the court today, hosting Pacific at 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Tennis (1-5 overall, 0-2 SCIAC)

The Occidental women’s tennis team found itself unable to capture a single win last week over the course of its matches against Salisbury, Whittier and Redlands. The Tigers entered their dual with Salisbury last Tuesday fresh off their first win of the season against Principia. Their success did not carry over, as the black and orange surrendered the match in straight sets, 9-0. Occidental attempted to rebound during its first conference matches of the season against Whittier and Redlands, but were again defeated in straight sets by both the Poets and Bulldogs. The Tigers were in action against Pacific Lutheran at the time of publication. They host Pacific today at 2 p.m. and re-enter SCIAC play with matches against Cal Lutheran and Pomona-Pitzer this weekend.

Kevin Cox (Men’s Track & Field)

Senior sprinter and jumper Kevin Cox has cemented himself as one of the Occidental men’s track and field team’s premier performers over the past three seasons. The Sedona, Ariz. native began his collegiate career with a bang, posting a long jump mark of 6.96-meters during the SCIAC Championship meet his first-year year. Cox emerged as an elite SCIAC and national competitor last season, setting a personal best of 11.27 seconds in the 100-meter dash and running the third leg on the Nationals-qualifying 4×100 meter relay. Cox’s efforts were rewarded at the end of the 2013 season, as he was named an All-SCIAC selection in the long jump. Even as Cox reaches the twilight of his collegiate career, he has continued to improve across all of his events. Most recently, the veteran jumper captured second place in the long jump at SCIAC Multi-Dual #1, matching his personal record leap of 6.96 meters on a shortened eight-step approach, as opposed to the 10-step approach that he will employ later in the season. While Cox has been one of the most successful individual performers, he has also been a regular member of the black and orange’s 4×100 meter and 4×400 meter relay teams. At the same meet (SCIAC #1) he led the 4×400 meter unit to a second-place finish with a time of 3:21.09 minutes. Cox and the rest of the Occidental men’s track and field team lace up their spikes for their first home league meet of the campaign, hosting SCIAC Multi-Dual #2 on Saturday.

 

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