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Azusa Pacific University Athletics

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Women's Water Polo Stephen Hinkel

Hard Fought Pair

AZUSA, Calif. – The Cougars closed out their home schedule with a pair of games on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

During the day the program took a moment to honor the contributions of four seniors as Maryann Slama, Ryllie Hayes, Katie Margot and Alba Espinar concluded their home careers.

Loyola Marymont 12, Azusa Pacific 9

Despite a four-goal deficit in the second quarter, the Lions roared back as they scored nine of the game's final 11 goals.

Alba Espinar scored her third goal of the second period to give Azusa Pacific a seemingly comfortable 7-3 lead. The senior's goal came with 2:43 left until halftime. Loyola Marymont trimmed their deficit by scoring the final two net finders before the halftime buzzer.

Unfortunately for the home team, the Lions scored the first four goals of the third quarter as they took a 9-7 edge. On two separate occasions the Cougars got their deficit down to one goal at 9-8 and 10-9 as the stanza came to a close.

Loyola Marymont scored the only two goals of the fourth quarter as they completed their comeback.

Espinar scored a game high four goals.

Caitlin Shafter tallied a team best three goals to pace the Lions efforts.

Whittier 11, Azusa Pacific 9

For the second time this season, the Poets rushed out a five goal lead then held off an Azusa Pacific to post the win.

With just under two minutes until intermission Whittier held a 6-1 lead but the Cougars closed the frame with goals from Arianne Yeo and Alba Espinar brought the home team to within 6-3.

Despite going down 7-3 early in the third quarter, the Cougars rallied as they scored five of the quarter's last six goals. The Cougars rally was capped off in the period when Megan Myers took a feed from Ashley Taylor and scored at the buzzer.

With momentum seemingly on their side and down just 9-8, Azusa Pacific looked to keep things rolling offensively. Whittier did just enough to stay ahead. They scored first goal of the quarter but the Cougars responded on a Taylor goal with 4:55 remaining. However, the Poets got a net finder from Janel Rivera to bring their lead back to two goals (10-8).

Myers found the back of the cage with 2:35 left and the Cougars were in business; down just 10-9. However, the Cougars couldn't find the equalizer. Whittier sealed the game with the final goal with 81 seconds left.

Espinar posted her second hat trick of the day with a three-goal game. Britt Harris and Myers each scored twice.

Zyandia Morales and Arin De La Mora each scored three times for the Poets.

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Players Mentioned

Katie Margot

#1 Katie Margot

GK
5' 8"
Senior
Alba Espinar

#6 Alba Espinar

Driver
5' 3"
Senior
Maryann Slama

#11 Maryann Slama

Util.
5' 9"
Senior
Megan Myers

#2 Megan Myers

Attacker
5' 7"
Senior
Ashley Taylor

#13 Ashley Taylor

Util.
6' 0"
Junior
Britt Harris

#8 Britt Harris

Attacker
5' 5"
Senior
Arianne Yeo

#20 Arianne Yeo

Two Meter
5' 3"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Katie Margot

#1 Katie Margot

5' 8"
Senior
GK
Alba Espinar

#6 Alba Espinar

5' 3"
Senior
Driver
Maryann Slama

#11 Maryann Slama

5' 9"
Senior
Util.
Megan Myers

#2 Megan Myers

5' 7"
Senior
Attacker
Ashley Taylor

#13 Ashley Taylor

6' 0"
Junior
Util.
Britt Harris

#8 Britt Harris

5' 5"
Senior
Attacker
Arianne Yeo

#20 Arianne Yeo

5' 3"
Senior
Two Meter