The University of Redlands men's water polo team competed at the Thompson Aquatic Center in non-conference action on Saturday morning. The team showcased a strong effort on both ends of the pool to defeat NCAA Division II opponent, Concordia University Irvine, 12-9.
The Maroon and Gray got out to a quick start as senior center Cooper Krause (Denver, CO) converted a goal 30 seconds into the contest. However, momentum shifted as the Eagles built a 3-1 advantage heading into the second period.
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs showed resiliency finding the back of the net in a multitude of ways in the second stanza. The spurt of offense included a penalty shot, a power play, and an even-strength goal to give Redlands a 4-3 lead by the 4:55 mark.
The teams went back-and-forth for the rest of the second, which led to a 6-6 stalemate at the break.
In a defensive-heavy third stanza, junior attacker Chris Frejlach (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) beat the Eagles' keeper on a penalty shot with 5:14 to go. The Bulldogs closed the period strong with goals from sophomore attacker Tor Cole (Malibu, CA) and Frejlach to carry a 9-7 lead into the final eight minutes of action.
The Eagles struck first in the fourth period to close the gap to one, but Cole connected with senior attacker Spencer Allen (Long Beach, CA) on a sweet goal for a 10-8 advantage with just under four minutes to go.
Although Concordia scored one more time, Allen and Frejlach put the game away with consecutive goals to help cement a 12-9 victory for the Bulldogs.
Frejlach led the offensive attack with four goals, while also nabbing a steal. Junior goalkeeper Chris Martinez (Santa Ana, CA) shined in net with 14 saves in a clutch, defensive effort down the stretch.
Redlands (5-5) heads to Cal Lutheran University on Wednesday, September 25, to open Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play against the Kingsmen at 4 p.m.