ORANGE, Calif. – The Macalester College water polo team played a non-conference game at Chapman today. Despite a fourth quarter push to make it a tight one, the Scots eventually fell 13-16. Mac moves to 6-6 on the season, while Chapman moves to 6-9. 

The first quarter was a close affair for the two teams. Just over a minute into the match, junior Jess Palmer-Sammons (Half Moon Bay, Calif./Half Moon Bay) pried the lid from the net to notch the first score of the game. The advantage was temporary, though, as the Panthers responded with a goal of their own and emerged on top after a series of scores to lead 3-2 headed into the second.

Senior Kendall Coney (League City, Texas/Clear Creek) powered home a goal to tie the game two minutes into the second quarter. Though Palmer-Sammons measured a quick response to the subsequent Chapman goal, the Panthers managed to create separation headed into halftime with a 4-0 run.

While Coney and senior Olivia Dimka (Denton, Texas/John H. Guyer) each scored in the third, Chapman continued to roll as the second half opened. They headed into the final frame with a 14-6 lead. 

In those final eight minutes, Macalester came alive. First year Anna Gaisser (Seattle, Wash./Ingraham) led the charge, scoring just over half a minute into the fourth quarter. Her score sparked a 6-1 Scots run to bring Macalester within three points with 2:25 to play. The gap proved too much for Mac to surmount, however. Both teams went scoreless until the last 16 seconds, and by then, it was too little too late for the Scots. Despite a game-high seven point quarter, Macalester would fall to the Panthers. 

Palmer-Sammons led her squad with three goals and an assist. Gaisser followed with two points and two assists of her own. Junior goalkeeper Jayden Kratt (Palo Alto, Calif./Henry M. Gunn) logged 11 saves and a steal.

Macalester will conclude their road trip in the Golden State tomorrow against non-conference California State University at Irvine at 11 a.m. Central and Concordia University Irvine at 2 p.m. Central in Fullerton, Calif.

MAC – 2 2 2 7 - 13

CU – 3 5 6 2 - 16

Macalester goals: Palmer-Sammons 3, Gaisser 2, Coney 2, Nadolski 2, Strauss 2, Dimka, Fasi