Oxy Women’s Polo Returns to the Pool

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Author: Abiel Garcia

Women’s water polo jumped back in the pool this past weekend for their season opener. The women have been training hard, spending up to 4 hours a day working out in and out of the pool. After a few weeks of grueling training to get the women of Oxy polo ready for competition, the Tigers had their work cut out for them facing the top two ranked teams in NCAA Division III, Pomona (#1) and Cal-State East Bay (#2). The girls were nervous but ready for the tough competition ahead. The Tigers were ranked 7th in Division III, coming into the tournament.

This weekend’s first tournament was seen more as a training opportunity than a must-win situation. Co-captain Haley Rosehill (senior) stated ” We figured if we won, great, if we lost then we would know what we would have to work on.”Despite the budding nerves at hand the team had a strong showing at the Chapman Tournament held in Orange, CA this past weekend.

Day one of the tournament proved to be successful as the girls won both games, first one coming against Cal State Eastbay with a final score of 9-8 and the second victory came in convincing fashion as the team pulled off an 11-4 win versus Grove City College (PA).

The team looked to bring the momentum from day one into Sunday’s match up against #1-ranked Pomona-Pitzer but would fall short, losing in overtime on a couple of last minute goals. The second game of day two pitted Oxy vs. Cal State San Bernadino in yet another tough match-up for the Tigers. Unfortunately the same result from the first game would follow, as the team was forced to face a tough 9-8 loss.Despite the two tough losses on Sunday many of the players remained relatively upbeat.

According to Rosehill, “It was the best opening tournament I’ve ever seen us play.” The tournament ended up 2-2, but “the team played well together and supported each other,” Tessa Bailey-Findley (freshman) said.

Looking on the outlook of the season, many of the tigers showed excitement for the upcoming season. Tessa stated that, “the team this year will be very competitive throughout SCIAC’s and we are all very excited for the upcoming season.” While Rosehill said, “The support shown by the team this weekend will really help the team excel when SCIAC games role around.” Also chiming in on the overall demeanor of the team Ashley Notti (senior) said, “The chemistry on the team is so much better compared to past years…everyone gets along and that makes it fun to play polo.”

The excitement is building as the women are ready for more competition. Starting goalie Laura Simanonok (senior) stated that, “The season is looking up, especially because other teams have already been playing together for 6 to 8 games, and once we play a couple more games should be one of the top competitors in D3.”

“Even though we just started playing, while other teams have had 4-8 games under their belts, it was exciting to see us play so well together and look like a team,” Laura said.

The tournament this weekend proved to the girls that they could stand through thick and thin, as the girls held their heads up high even through two tough and draining games.

Offensive action came from all levels for the Tigers, including impressive four goal perfomances by Karie Nickle (sophomore) against Grove City College and Kelly Curtin versus Pomona. As well as a three goal debut for Tessa Bailey-Findley (first-year) versus Cal State Eastbay.

The girls dive back into action on Saturday, March 7th against Villanova at the California Lutheran Invite.

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