Second Half Surge Lifts Redlands Men's Water Polo Over La Verne, 13-10

Jasen Swan taking a shot.
Photo Credit: Maddi Spencer

The University of Redlands men's water polo team welcomed the University of La Verne Leopards to the Thompson Aquatic Center for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) matchup on Wednesday night. After a completely even first half, the Bulldogs went on a 6-3 run in the second to eventually take the game 13-10.

Senior center Cooper Krause (Denver, CO) got the scoring started for the Bulldogs, putting one through the posts at the 6:34-minute mark to tie the game at 1-1. From there the teams alternated scores as senior attacker Kyle Jackson (Naperville, IL) snuck one in with just two ticks left on the clock to knot the score at 4-4 to end the first.

The second quarter nearly mirrored the first as both teams matched each other point-for-point. Senior attacker Spencer Allen (Long Beach, CA) scored a goal and dished out an assist in the eight-minute span.

At the half, the score remained deadlocked at 7-7.

Although La Verne scored the first goal of the third quarter, Redlands went on to net three straight scores to overtake the lead.

Junior attacker Chris Frejlach (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) kicked off the scoring spurt off another Allen assist. Frejlach followed that up, dishing out a quick pass to first-year attacker Drake Moody (Camarillo, CA) to assist his goal. Junior attacker Jasen Swan (Glendora, CA) got in on the action with an unassisted goal to make the score 10-8.

Allen solidified the eventual game-winner to kick off the fourth quarter with a quick solo score. Allen continued to dominate in the final period with another goal and assist. The Maroon and Gray managed the clock wisely to sequester the Leopards scoring chances in the final minutes of the game to emerge victorious, 13-10.

Allen ended the night with three goals, five assists, and one steal. Krause added three goals while Swan registered two. Senior attacker Carter Kerwin (Bakersfield, CA) also impressed with four steals.

Junior goalkeeper Chris Martinez (Santa Ana, CA) was solid between the pipes with eight saves and two steals. First-year goalkeeper Liam Murphy (Placentia, CA) closed out the final quarter with three game-sealing saves.

The Bulldogs (10-8, 3-1 SCIAC) look to continue this momentum as they head to Caltech on Saturday, October 12 for an 11 a.m. game. The team returns home that same night to face Pomona-Pitzer at the Thompson Aquatic Center at 7 p.m.