The University of Redlands men's water polo team competed in the friendly waters of the Thompson Aquatic Center for Wednesday's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) showdown against the visiting Poets of Whittier College. The Bulldogs used a four-goal outburst in the third period to build a lead that they maintained en route to an exciting 10-8 victory.
Senior utility player Max Taylor (Henderson, NV) scored the Bulldogs' first two goals of the game before junior attack player Ty Williams (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) found the back of the net for the home team's early 3-0 advantage. Sophomore attack player Spencer Allen (Long Beach, CA) provided the assists on two of these scores.
However, Whittier rattled off the next three goals to even the tally with 7:31 remaining in the second quarter.
After Redlands went ahead off of a goal by Allen, the Poets continued to press offensively and turned the tables for a 5-4 lead early in the third frame.
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs answered the call and closed out the period with a 4-1 run for an 8-6 advantage with one quarter to go. Taylor bookended the Maroon and Gray's offensive effort, while junior center-defender Ilan Dayan (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Williams each scored once.
The Bulldogs stayed in front through the final whistle, thanks in part to goals by junior attack player Grant Curry (San Diego, CA) and freshman utility player Jasen Swan (Glendora, CA). Although Whittier managed to score twice before time ran out, the Bulldogs' victory was never in question.
Freshman goalkeeper Chris Martinez (Santa Ana, CA) put up eight saves in the win. Taylor, Curry, junior utility player Mitchell Walker (Taylorsville, UT), and sophomore utility player Kyle Jackson (Naperville, IL) provided key steals to help Redlands' defensive cause.
Redlands (11-14, 6-4 SCIAC) takes to the road for its next three contests, beginning with an 11 a.m. match on Saturday, November 4, against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.