WHITTIER, Calif. (March 22, 2008) – Occidental College women's water polo opened the first round of play in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action with a 9-4 victory over the Poets at Whittier College.

The Tigers power play defense and the efforts of junior goal keeper Laura Simanonok, who finished with 15 saves, were keys to the victory. 

Whittier opened the scoring with a goal by senior Karley Perine two minutes into the first quarter.  It was the only lead Whittier would have for the entire game.

Oxy responded by scoring the next four goals to take a 4-1 lead after the first quarter. Whittier earned seven power plays in the first half alone, to Occidental's one, but the Tigers used an aggressive defense to shut down the Poets. 

Junior Kelly Curtin paced the Tiger offense with a game high three goals, all coming in the first half, as the Tigers maintained the three goal edge with a 6-3 score at the half. Curtin added two steals and two assists as well.

Senior Danielle Montenegro added two goals with an assist and two steals, while freshman Karie Nickle also scored twice. The junior duo of Sara Boehler and Ashley Notti rounded out the Tiger scoring with a goal apiece.  

Simanonok stifled the Poet offense with an array of saves throughout the game and the Tiger defense held Whittier to just one goal in the second half.  Oxy held Whittier to a 1 for 11 clip on power plays during the game.   

Overall this season the junior goalie has already eclipsed the 200 save mark and currently sits among the top 10 in the Nation with 202 saves. Last year Simanonok establish a school record for saves in a season with 326.

The win ups Oxy's overall record to12-9 record, with seven wins in their last nine games.  

Occidental will jump back in the pool on Saturday, March 29 at 11:00 a.m. when the Tigers meet the # 7 ranked Athenas at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.