CLAREMONT, Calif. - Despite tying the game at 11 apiece with only two minutes left in regulation, the VMI water polo team surrendered two late goals to fall by a 13-11 score to host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Thursday evening at Axelroad Pool in Claremont, California.
Freshman Sarah Dolitsky knotted the game at 11 with only 2:22 left, but the Athenas scored twice in the final minutes to escape with the victory. The Keydets had trailed 3-1 after the first period and went down by a 6-3 score late in the second, but rallied to trail at halftime by a 6-5 score and went nearly goal for goal the rest of the way.
Sophomore Natalie Rivas scored first for VMI and was followed by goals from Cecily Lundy, Sophia DelBondio, and two from Rebecca Serrano in the second quarter to keep pace with the home team.
Both teams struck twice in the third period to save the drama for the final period. Down 10-8, VMI claimed goals from Shelby Barkley and Dolitsky to tie it at 10 with 3:29 left.
Lundy and Dolitsky led the Keydets with three goals each with Serrano contributing two. Bailey Huddleston also scored for VMI in the fourth quarter.
VMI concludes its Spring Furlough Calirfornia trip with two games Saturday. The Keydets will face Redlands for a second time at 1 p.m. PDT in Redlands before traveling to Whittier for a 7 p.m. match in Whittier, California.
