Los Angeles, CA — The Occidental Women's Water Polo team faced off against the UC Merced Bobcats on Friday for their first game of the Convergence Tournament and their first game at home. Koko Butcher (Honolulu, HI) was the first to score for the Tigers off of a steal and break away. Then, Emma Wilderman (Seal Beach, CA) shot and scored from center with the assist awarded to Butcher. Shortly after, Butcher beat the goalie again on a powerplay. In the second quarter, the Tigers battled back and forth until Bella Wilde (Eugene, OR) scored a goal on a powerplay with the assist coming from Marisa Lipari (Sunnyvale, CA). Less than a minute later, Lipari scored a goal of her own with help from Cate Sloat (Austin, TX). After regrouping at halftime, Sloat scored an exciting low corner skip with a perfect pass from Jillian Miller (Irvine, CA). In the last quarter, Miller stepped in and scored twice, one on a powerplay, and both with assistance from Butcher. With twenty-four seconds left in the game, the Bobcats called a timeout to try to score to break the 8-8 tie. The Bobcats found themselves unsuccessful as they missed the cage, and then goalie Alex Moye (San Diego, CA) made a perfect pass to Lipari who shot the ball from over halfway into an open cage, bringing the Tigers to their first win of the season. On defense, the Tigers drew five exclusions, and had thirteen steals. Miller was credited for three of the steals and goalie Moye was credited for four. Final Score: 9-8 Oxy. 

Liberty Hamilton led the Bobcats with three goals. 

 

Oxy Goals: 

Koko Butcher - 2

Marisa Lipari - 2

Jillian Miller - 2

Cate Sloat - 1

Bella Wilde - 1

Emma Wilderman - 1

 

Goalie Alex Moye (San Diego, CA) had a great game with six saves, one assist, and four steals.