WHITTIER/PASADENA, Calif. -- The Virginia Military Institute women's water polo team had a unique situation during its Spring Furlough trip in California: play two games, with start times just three hours apart, at two different pools. The strategy worked out for the Keydets, who split the Wednesday twin bill, falling 14-11 against Whittier College, but topping California Institute of Technology 15-1 in the second game.
The single goal allowed against Caltech mark not only the fewest goals allowed by VMI (7-8) this season, but in program history. The previous mark was three goals allowed, a feat that occurred twice in 2013, including once against Caltech.
Against the Poets, VMI got a strong scoring effort from freshman Bailey Huddleston, who potted five goals to continue her torrid pace on the West Coast. Cecilya Lundy and and Celine Lazzaro each struck twice, once apiece in the second and third quarters. Freshman Sierra Payne and senior Justina Dunne both found the back of the cage once. Sophomore Emily Cait Farsakian made three saves for the Keydets.
The first game of the night was a close affair through out. With just over four minutes left to play in the third quarter, VMI tied the game 9-9 as Huddleston logged her third-period goal. But the Poets ripped off five of the game's next seven goals to secure the 14-11 win at the Slade Aquatics Center.
Once again it was Huddleston who led the Keydets offensively, putting up five goals, including two each in the first and fourth quarters. Lundy and Perkins logged hat tricks with three goals each while Elise Reed beat the keeper twice. Lazzaro scored once, as did classmate Heather Magill. Emily Cait Farsakian made six saves in her seventh victory of the season.
Just four more games adorn the Keydets' California schedule, playing twice on Friday and twice on Saturday as part of the Lancer Invite #2, hosted by Cal Baptist University. Friday's games are slated for noon and 6 p.m. PST against Pomona-Pitzer and Redlands, respectively. The first two game will be played at Redlands' Thompson Aquatics Center.
On Saturday, the action shifts to Cal Baptist's Lancer Aquatics Center. VMI takes on the host institution at 11:40 a.m. PST, followed by a 3:40 p.m. PST match with Chapman to conclude the team's Spring Furlough trip.
