March 6, 2014

ORANGE, Calif. - The Villanova women's water polo team (4-12) went 1-1 as the team concluded its California road trip Tuesday and Wednesday. The Wildcats lost at Whittier, 7-3, before defeating Chapman, 7-5, the following day.

Villanova finished its time in California 4-4 after competing in the Cal Lutheran Invitational last weekend.

Whittier 7, Villanova 3
Sarina Shibata, Callan Edwards and Lizzie Newman each scored as the Wildcats fell to the Poets. The trio tallied five shots apiece in the game. Sheila Gerrity led the team with three steals and also added an assist.

The Wildcats finished the first quarter down 3-1 before scoring in the second and keeping Whittier off the board to go into halftime down 3-2. The Poets defense kept Villanova off the scoresheet for the rest of the game.

Goalkeeper Julie Conrath finished the game with 12 saves and two steals.

Villanova 7, Chapman 5
The Wildcats rebounded quickly as they defeated the Panthers on Wednesday. Chapman took a 1-0 lead through the first quarter before Naomi Ng tied it two minutes into the second. Sadie Dutcher also scored for the Wildcats in the second quarter, but Villanova went into halftime down 3-2.

Sarina Shibata tied the game less than a minute after the break before Ng took the lead for the Wildcats. Callan Edwards scored in the third to increase the Villanova lead.

As the Panthers tried to tie the game, Edwards and Lizzie Newman scored to keep the Wildcats ahead. Chapman scored a final goal to get within two, but Villanova took the 7-5 victory.

Julie Conrath finished the game with 18 saves in net.

The Wildcats return to action on March 22 when the team hosts Marist and Siena at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, to start MAAC play.