After compiling a 6-2 conference record, the third-seeded University of Redlands men's water polo team looks forward to competing in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championships Tournament on Friday, November 20, when it faces off against the sixth-seeded Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Sagehens in the first round of play at 11:30 a.m.
The Bulldogs hold a record of 3-3 against the top-four squads, which includes the undefeated Stags of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (8-0), the second-seeded Whittier College Poets (6-2), and the fourth-seeded Chapman University Panthers (6-2). While Whittier, Redlands, and Chapman all hold the same record in SCIAC action, the Poets earned the higher seed based on goals scored, while Redlands broke the tiebreaker with Chapman on head-to-head results, with the Bulldogs' 9-8 edge over the Panthers proving to be pivotal.
The Maroon and Gray's two losses came by a combined four goals, which included a 9-10 defeat to Whittier in the SCIAC opener on October 17.
The SCIAC Championship Tournament will be hosted by the University of La Verne at Las Flores Park of the La Verne Aquatics Center. All nine conference teams compete in the three-day tournament, with the championship game taking place on Sunday, November 22, at 3 p.m.
Students and employees with a current ID from any SCIAC school and children 12 and under are admitted for free. All others are $5 at the gate.
All games will be streamed live through the SCIAC portal. As required by SCIAC policy, there is a $5 charge per day for the live stream.
Overall, the Bulldogs have put together a solid overall record of 15-13, bettering their previous season's record by six wins. During the round-robin potion of the SCIAC schedule, Redlands garnered a 6-2 mark, which included tight wins over Chapman, Pomona-Pitzer, and the University of La Verne. In conference action, sophomore center Matt Shippen (Santa Maria, CA) leads his squad with 11 goals, which ranks tied for seventh among his SCIAC peers. Senior center John Koning (Poway, CA) has strung together a solid conference season in his final year by netting nine scores. Sophomore driver Kevin Chapa (Carlsbad, CA) has proven to be a valuable weapon by boasting a 1.15 goals-per-game mark against SCIAC foes.
The Sagehens rely on the offensive power of junior James Baker (Darien, CT) and senior Phillip Clayman (Clovis, CA), who have netted a combined 19 goals in conference competition. Junior attacker Tommy Turner (Thousand Oaks, CA) has displayed strength on the offensive end by netting nine goals in SCIAC action. Sophomore goalkeeper Daniel Diemer (St. Louis, MO) patrols the Pomona-Pitzer cage as the last line of defense.
The Bulldogs and Sagehens have squared off on two occasions this year, resulting in split results. Pomona-Pitzer hauled in a thrilling 12-11 double-overtime victory during non-conference action on September 13. However, Redlands imposed its dominant defense in the second showdown by reeling in a 5-2 SCIAC victory on October 31. In the Bulldogs' win, the Maroon and Gray relied on an integral performance from junior goalkeeper Chris Sekula (LaGrange, IL), who racked up 13 saves. Shippen led the efficient attack with two goals, while junior driver Zac Polmanteer (Long Beach, CA) and sophomore center-driver Danny Hartwig (Vista, CA) each added a score.
For full tournament details and information, please visit La Verne's preview page.