Athletics News

Connecticut College Wins Two of Three at Occidental Invitational Bakanas Named to All-Tournament Team for Camels

Phoebe Bakanas ´10 Netted 11 Goals at the Occidental Invitational Tournament Thursday

March 14, 2008

PASADENA, Calif.--The Connecticut College women´s water polo team (2-2) won two of three matches at the Occidental College Invitational Tournament hosted by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena Thursday. Sophomore sharpshooter Phoebe Bakanas (Redding, Conn.) and junior Lauren Brug (Ventura, Calif.) contributed 11 goals apiece in the tourney. Bakanas´ superlative performance at both ends of the pool earned her a spot on the All-Tournament team. The Camels finished third, the highest placing for an out of state team in the tourney.

The Camels topped Wheaton College of Illinois 11-8 in the first match of the day. Sophomore net-minder Jordan Kohnstam (Portland, Conn.) had eight saves, thwarting an attempt on a penalty shot, and Lauren Brug netted five goals, propelling the Camels their first win of the 2008 season.

The game went back and forth with five lead changes, but with 30 seconds remaining in the third, freshman Ada Spahija (Northfield, Ill.) provided the equalizer with her second score of the contest and the game was tied at seven. On the ensuing possession, Bakanas stole the ball and scored, putting the Camels on top to stay with an 8-7 advantage. Carrying their one goal lead into the final quarter, the Camels received some insurance with scores from Emma Heishman (Boiling Springs, Pa.), Bakanas, and Brug.

Kohnstam provided some nifty defensive work in and around the cage, holding the Thunder to a single score in the fourth quarter and the Camels were able to hold on for the 11-8 victory.

In the second match, the eventual tournament champion Occidental upended the Camels in a 15-7 decision. Bakanas had three goals in the defeat while classmate Jordan Kohnstam stopped five shots. The loss set up a matchup for third place against the Colorado College tigers.

The Camels played their third match of the day with the smallest roster in the tournament field just an hour after their Occidental game.

The Camels expected to have a tough road in the third place game against a strong Colorado College team. Bakanas scored the opening goal of the game on a counter attack. Colorado College answered on their very next possession though to tie the game at one. With just seconds to go in the quarter, Bakanas provide a power play tally and the Camels had a 2-1 lead after one.

In the second quarter, Connecticut College opened things up with a goal from Emma Heishman and two from Lauren Brug. Kohnstam held the Tigers to just one of their own for a 5-2 Camel lead at the intermission.

In the second half, the Tigers responded with consecutive scores, narrowing the Camel lead to a single goal, 5-4. But Bakanas responded with one of her six scores in the match and the Camels were able to pull away for the 11-4 triumph. Kohnstam stopped nine tiger shots, finishing the day with 22 saves.

Heishman finished with four goals in the three matches for Connecticut College. Senior captain Sarah Lindsay (Walnut Creek, Calif.) added a score for head coach JJ Addison´s Camels.

-Camels-

For more information contact: William Tomasian (860) 439-2501; william.tomasian@conncoll.edu