March 21, 2009

San Diego, Calif. - The Pacific women's water polo team dropped a close match to the Hartwick Hawks on Saturday, Mar. 21. The Tigers fell to 6-14 following the loss, while Hartwick improved to 16-6.

The Tigers started out with an aggressive first quarter scoring three goals compared to the Hawks' one. The second quarter saw Hartwick score four more goals while Pacific found the back of the net only once. Despite starting strong, the Tigers went to halftime down one goal, by a score of 5-4.

The Hawks' added to their lead with three unanswered goals in the third quarter, while shutting out the Tigers. Pacific was able to match Hartwick's three goals in the fourth, but it was not enough to regain the lead.

Pacific was led by sophomore Meara McCarthy (Simsbury, Conn.) and freshman Allison Kosich (Stockton, Calif.) who each scored two goals. Sophomores Bridget Geck (Huntington Beach, Calif.), and Dara Tawarahara (Honolulu, Hawaii) each netted one goal. Freshman Katherine Biehle (Visalia, Calif.) added one goal in the loss.

Defensively, freshman Lindsey Pengilly (Stockton, Calif.) made six saves and three steals in the cage. In addition to their offensive efforts, Tawarahara and Kosich each made a field block. Junior Jessica Safir (Los Gatos, Calif.) and sophomore Bethany Quertermous (Humble, Texas), had one steal each.

The Tigers play San Diego State in their second game at the Aztec Invitational at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 21, at the Aztec Aquaplex in San Diego, Calif.

Scoring by Quarter:
Pacific: 3 - 1 - 0 - 3 = 7
Hartwick College: 1 - 4 - 3 - 3 = 11

Pacific Goals: Meara McCarthy (2), Allison Kosich (2), Bridget Geck (1), Dara Tawarahara (1), Katherine Biehle (1)
Hartwick Goals: Kirsten Hudson (5), Shannon Leonard (3), Sian Ells-Yewhiu (1), Christina Evans (1), Jessica McKee (1)

Pacific Saves: Lindsey Pengilly (6 saves, 3 steals)
Hartwick Saves: not available