THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – A low scoring affair belonged to the Occidental College women's water polo team from the get-go as the Tigers defeated the Cal Lutheran University Regals 9-5 at the Samuelson Aquatics Center this morning in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

The first quarter belonged to Karie Nickle as she scored a hat-trick to lead Oxy to a 3-1 lead and an advantage the Black and Orange would not relinquish throughout the remainder of the contest. Nickle got the squad on the board 1:06 into the game, adding her second with 41 seconds to play, breaking a 1-1 tie. She would then add a last second shot, finding the back of the net with one tick to go in the opening period.

CLU on the second quarter, outscoring Oxy 2-1, but the Tigers held a one-goal, 4-3, lead at the intermission. Tessa Bailey-Findley scored the first of her two goals in the second.

After the break, Oxy and Cal Lutheran exchanged goals, with Rebecca Hofer getting in on the offensive action for the Tigers.

The fourth quarter saw four Occidental goals as Julie Monday added a pair with Hofer adding her second and Bailey-Findley also netting another.

Bailey-Findley and Nanea Fujiyama each dished out a pair of assists with Nickle adding the final one of the day. Oxy drew seven ejections, two from Monday, as the Tigers successfully completed three 6-on-5 situations.

Defensively Rachel Adeleye blocked 10 shots, adding a steal. Fujiyama tallied five steals, to lead the pack and both Nickle and Bailey-Findley had two.

Overall, Oxy was able to take care of the ball and use their opportunities to execute plays, turning the ball over just seven times.

Occidental (15-8, 5-0 SCIAC) will travel to the University of Redlands for a night game on Wednesday, April 20. First sprint is set for 7:00 p.m.

Article by Tracy Maple, Sports Information Director