Photo by samsphotoservices.com

By Kendrick Mooney

CLAREMONT – The Occidental women's water polo team picked up its first two wins of the season at the Convergence Tournament hosted by Pomona Pitzer with strong performances against Caltech and McKendree.

From the Coach: "We are communicating well and playing with great energy," Oxy head coach Jack Stabenfeldt said. "We need to fix a few small details and get back at it tomorrow."

Game 1: Occidental 26 Caltech 7

The Tigers offense was both aggressive and efficient, going 26 for 33 on team shooting and 4 for 5 on power plays. Caltech scored the first goal of the game, but the Tigers responded with four goals and held an advantage for the rest of the game.

Carly Zurcher led the Tigers in scoring with six goals, and chipped in three assists and four steals. Claudia Oppermann had five steals, two goals and two assists. First year Lori Berberian had a good game as well, adding five goals. Amanda Akiyama added four goals and Abby Appel and Zulema Iboa-Garcia each scored three goals.

Anna De Groot made six saves and had a steal for the Tigers in goal.

Caltech's Katie Johnson scored three goals.

Occidental 14 McKendree 8

Occidental played their most well-rounded and balanced game of the season with every player on the team scoring. Zurcher built off her strong performance against Caltech and scored four goals and added three steals. Iboa-Garcia added three goals and Monica Chernoff had three steals and a goal.

McKendree kept things close in the first half, trailing by three at the end of the half. But the Tigers went on a 3-0 run to start the second half, providing a big enough lead that their opponents would not be able to come back from.

Brianna Mulley, Sabrina Sherrin and Catie Young all scored two goals for McKendree.

The Tigers continue the Convergence Tournament tomorrow against St Francis University at 10:30 AM.