CLAREMONT — Nina Wheeler scored six goals, and Carly Zurcher and Savannah D'Orazio each added four as the Occidental women's water polo team earned its first victory of the season, crushing Caltech, 24-5 at the Claremont Convergence tournament on Saturday.

After starting out the year 0-11 with losses to mostly NCAA Division I and top NCAA Division III competition, the Tigers get in the win column in a big way.

Katie Gibbs scored three goals, and Lizzy Kosin and Kyla Houck had two for the Tigers. Amanda Akiyama, Mirei Yasuda and Hi'ipoi Lee rounded out Oxy's scorers with one goal each. 

The Tigers jumped out to a 7-1 lead after the first quarter and put the game out of reach, leading 12-1 at halftime.

Goalkeeper Kelly Fitzgerald made nine saves for Oxy.

The Tigers continue to improve and were due for a breakthrough. The day before, Oxy lost a heartbreaker to a very good Cal Lutheran team, 11-10 in the final seconds of the game.

Next Game: Oxy finishes the Claremont Convergence tournament against Fresno Pacific at 2:20 p.m. on Sunday. Oxy's home opener is against Iona on March 12 at noon in Taylor Pool.