Tigers Hold off Bulldogs, Remain Undefeated in SCIAC

REDLANDS, Calif. (April 4, 2009) – Tied through three quarters, the Occidental College Tigers scored two unanswered goals in the final period of play to pull out an 8-6 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory at the expense of the University of Redlands on the road today.

In the fourth quarter Occidental looked to its defense, which stifled Redlands. A time-out with two minutes to play allowed the Tigers to set their offense, leading to the ultimate winning goal from Karie Nickle, putting the Tigers up for good at 7-6.  Sophomore Julie Monday scored a late goal from center to seal the deal for the Tigers who run their SCIAC record to 3-0.

Along with the offense, which put the Tigers on top, more impressively was the defense that Occidental showcased in the game. Freshman Tessa Bailey-Findley was a threat on both sides of the ball, scoring four goals while adding four steals. Nickle was also a dual-threat with a pair of goals and three steals. Rebecca Hofer also stole the ball three times for Oxy. In front of the cage senior goalie Laura Simanonok blocked 12 shots, adding a steal as well.

The No. 2 ranked Tigers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead behind first quarter goals from Bailey-Findley and Nickle. Redlands, the No. 7 ranked team, came right back with two quick goals of their own to tie the game up. Bailey-Findley's second goal of the quarter put Oxy up 3-2, but the lead only lasted a short time, as Redlands scored on their next possession to finish the first frame with the game tied at three. 

The two team would continue to trade scores in the second and third quarter, with Oxy continually taking the lead, only to see the Bulldogs come back to tie. Bailey-Findley scored twice in the second quarter while Hofer supplied the lone third quarter goal.

The Tigers’ win coupled with a No. 1 ranked Pomona-Pitzer loss, to Cal Lutheran on Wednesday, leaves the Tigers anxiously awaiting the standings of the latest National Poll, which will be released on April 8.

Occidental (12-8) carries a five-game winning streak into their next game, another SCIAC battle with Whittier College, on Wednesday, April 8 at Taylor Pool beginning at 5:00 p.m.