NEW LONDON, Conn. — The Connecticut College women’s water polo team closed out the regular season in resounding fashion by defeating visiting Wheaton College, 20-6, at Lott Natatorium.
Connecticut dominated the opening quarter to outscore the visitors 7-0. Ainsley Cornwall (San Mateo, Calif.) got the scoring started just 15 seconds into the contest. Emma Luna (Wahiawa, Hawaii) added three goals in the frame, while Sarah Nagel (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Cornwall chipped in a pair and a solo stroke, respectively, in the first eight minutes of competition.
The Camels continued the run to start the second quarter as Melia Lorch (Encinitas, Calif.) and Maddie Baybeck (Ann Arbor, Mich.) scored to extend the lead to 9-0.
Wheaton got on the scoreboard midway through the quarter as Ryanna Ritting found the back of the cage. Connecticut answered with back-to-back goals from Catrina Dumas (San Francisco, Calif.) before the Lyons responded with consecutive tallies. However, Nagel beat the buzzer for her third goal of the evening as the Camels pushed ahead 12-3 heading into halftime.
Connecticut opened the second half with two quick goals as Cornwall and Jada Keen (Kealakekua, Hawaii) built the lead to 14-3 with 5:47 on the clock.
Wheaton answered just over a minute later off a goal from Sophia Romo, but the Camels concluded the quarter with a 3-0 run as Keen (two) and Grace Isola (San Mateo, Calif.) hooked in shots to set the scoreboard at 17-4 heading into the fourth quarter.
Connecticut continued its strong play into the final quarter as Luna and Nagel notched back-to-back markers to make it a 19-4 game with 6:51 to play. The Lyons responded back as Ritting converted a penalty shot a minute later. Meiling Bottan (Lexington, Mass.) added one final goal for the Camels before a late tally from Wheaton established the 20-6 final score.
Isola got the start in goal, finishing with five saves in the first half, before Baybeck finished the game making four saves. Every Camels recorded at least one point, with Luna and Nagel leading the way with five points on four goals and one assist.
Information courtesy Connecticut College Athletics Communications
