Photo courtesy of Sagehen Athletics.
The No. 1 Pomona-Pitzer women’s water polo team completed their SCIAC Tournament Championship three-peat with an 11–10 win over No. 2 CMS on April 28 at Haldeman Pool on Pomona’s campus. The team then defeated CMS again in a 15–10 win on May 5 to capture their third consecutive USA Water Polo Division III National Championship.
SCIAC Tournament Championship
The Sagehens won their third consecutive SCIAC Tournament Championship and their 11th overall. The Sagehens improved to 23–10 in the process and extended their winning streak to 15 games on the season.
A very even game between two longtime rivals in the Division III water polo world came down to the wire. The Sagehens slightly outshot CMS 30–27 while CMS had the big advantage converting their powerplays with 4–8 for the Athenas while the Sagehens went just 3–10.
The Sagehens were led by Pitzer’s Lulu Gaither ’25, who had a game-high three goals in the win. Namlhun Jachung ’24, Kaylee Stigar PO’25, and Mia Amberger PO’26 had two goals each, while Madison Lewis PO’24 and Brienz Lang PO’26 each had one. Zosia Amberger PO’25 got the win in goal with seven saves and two steals.
The Pomona-Pitzer women’s water polo team also recently defeated SCIAC rival CMS to earn their fifth straight SCIAC Regular Season Championship.
Division III National Championship
Photo courtesy of Sagehen Athletics.
When they won their third straight USA Water Polo Division III National Championship, the Sagehens ended the season with their fifth straight 20+ win season at 25–10 overall.
The Sagehens were led by Kaylee Stigar PO’25, who was named Tournament MVP after she had a hat-trick with three goals along with three assists and three steals in the win. Pitzer’s Namlhun Jachung ’24 and Mia Amberger PO’26 had two goals while Lulu Gaither ’25, Lauren Smith ’26, Abigail Wiesenthal PO’24, Ayva Magna PO’26, Madison Lewis PO’24, Brienz Lang PO’26, Lisbon Zeigler PO’27, and Paityn Richardson PO’27 had one. Zosia Amberger PO’25 got the start in goal and stopped 10 shots with a steal for the win.
CMS outscored the Sagehens 5–2 in the fourth with Pomona-Pitzer’s main focus on draining the clock to start their championship celebration. Stigar and Richardson still managed to find the back of the net in the fourth as the Sagehens jumped in the pool to celebrate their third straight Division III National Championship.
Additionally, Pitzer’s Namlhun Jachung ’24 was recently named SCIAC Offensive Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Adapted from the Pomona-Pitzer Athletics press releases “Sagehens Three-Peat As Division III National Champions” and “Sagehens 3-Peat As SCIAC Tournament Champions.” To learn more, please visit Sagehen Athletics.
