Feb. 27, 2010
Siena water polo tripled its win total Saturday, defeating La Verne 14-9 and Whittier 9-5 in the first day of competition of the Chapman Invitational in Orange, Calif. Junior captain Camille Norman led Siena with ten total points as the Saints never trailed in either game.
In the opener, Siena (3-9) opened a 4-2 first quarter lead and never looked back. Sophomore Traci Robertson posted a career-high with five points (two goals, three assists) and added three steals to lead the way. Classmate Katie Ness added a hat trick and Camille Norman and Molly Chamberlain also contributed multiple goal efforts with two each. Norman added three helpers to tie Robertson with a game-high five points.
Freshman Stephani Pouder played the final three quarters, making a career-high 10 saves in earning her first career victory. Jennifer Kissel played the first quarter and made two stops.
In the nightcap, the Saints again led wire to wire although Whittier stayed within a goal for a large chunk of the game. Norman again scored five points including a hat trick to lead the Saints, while Ness and Devan Ragg each added three points with two goals and an assist each.
The Saints enjoyed strong defense throughout as well in allowing a season-low five goals to the Poets. Alexandra McDowell registered a career-high with five steals, while Ness and Ragg each swiped three. Meanwhile, Kissel made 16 saves in goal.
The Saints conclude their eight-game California trip with the final day of the Chapman Invitational Sunday. Siena matches up with Cal State San Bernardino at 12:15 p.m. and Concordia (Calif.) at 5:15 p.m.
