California Lutheran University Regals water polo fell to the Athenas of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Senior Day by a score of 10-6. Five seniors were honored before the game for their contributions to the program: Izzy de Souza, Tori Portillo, Katie Knight, Bethany Metcalfe, and Megan Findlay.
The game started off back and forth, with both teams finding the back of the net three times in the first period. Head Coach Tim Settem said he thought the team executed the game plan well and brought enthusiasm on a day meant to honor the seniors of the program.
“As a team, I thought we battled extremely well, we came out with great energy, I think we dealt with adversity really well,” Settem said.
The Regals were held scoreless in the second period and went into halftime down 7-3.
“As a team, we did a really good job defensively, I think that CMS really took advantage of their six-on-five opportunities,” fifth-year goalkeeper Izzy de Souza said.
Despite falling short, senior attacker Tori Portillo said the Regals improved in certain aspects of the game.
“Our communication was improved in this game, we really came out strong and wanted to win really badly. That fight and drive took us through the whole game,” Portillo said.
Settem said the loss came down to a few missed opportunities, especially in the six-on-five situations.
“One big thing is defense fuels your offense. We had really good defense, we just weren’t able to execute on offense. If we were able to execute even half of those six-on-five goals, we win that game,” de Souza said.
Both teams scored three times in the second half, but ultimately, the Regals were unable to chip away at the Athenas’ lead.
“I thought Izzy played a phenomenal game, Katie was a force at center. They had to deal with her, and that alone put us in a great situation,” Settem said. “If a couple balls bounce our way, it’s a different game. I was really proud of the way we battled the entire time.”
De Souza said that reflecting on experiences in the program and how far the team has come is something that inspires the team to be resilient.
“Going from there to now as a senior, and having several different teammates, several different coaches, it’s definitely been a journey, and I think that it’s something that’s made our team really tight-knit,” de Souza said.
Portillo said the lessons she’s learned in the pool can be applied to the rest of her life moving forward.
“This program has taught me a lot of resilience. Fighting for what you want is something that water polo has instilled in me and I’m gonna take it through the rest of my life,” Portillo said.
Settem said that as the Regals draw near the end of their season, they have championship aspirations. With only three games left in the regular season, the team is looking to make a final push toward the playoffs.
“When we get to the conference tournament, regardless of where we are seeded, to go into the next day and that game more confident and more able to execute to our ability. We’re gearing towards a conference championship and a national championship,” Settem said.
De Souza said being able to play on Senior Day after missing last year’s due to her injury was very special.
“It means the world for me. Last year was my true senior year and I wasn’t able to participate because I had an injury and I redshirted,” de Souza said. “To be able to actually play on this senior day for me has been really amazing and get celebrated with my senior class who I came in with.”
Settem said it is players like de Souza that make the program what it is; resilient in the face of adversity and always looking to improve.
“You can’t put it into words what they’ve done for the program, what they mean to the program,” Settem said. “It’s incredible to have that culture, them be able to not only help foster that culture, but make sure it’s maintained.”
Settem said the seniors will leave the program behind them better than when they found it.
“For us to be able to continue playing at a high level, and them to still engage, and still love the sport, and still love this team despite all the adversity they’ve been through as individuals over the course of their career here, I just can’t speak highly enough of them,” Settem said.
The Regals (11-13) will return on April 12 at 11 a.m. for a rematch against Chapman University.