Bulldog Men's Water Polo Caps off Undefeated Weekend with Wins over Fresno Pacific and Whittier

Bulldog Men's Water Polo Caps off Undefeated Weekend with Wins over Fresno Pacific and Whittier

The University of Redlands men's water polo team capped off an impressive weekend at the Cal Baptist University Lancer Invite by defeating Fresno Pacific University, 11-8, and Whittier College, 7-5, to go undefeated over the four-game outing. 

Against FPU, the Bulldogs overcame a slow start by firing off a 3-1 run in the second quarter to tie things up at five apiece.  Junior center Matt Shippen (Santa Maria, CA) initiated the rally with a score, while senior center-defender Mark Zikov (La Quinta, CA) fired off a power-play goal early in the frame.  Sophomore driver Ty Williams' (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) goal with 1:32 left on the clock evened the tally against the Sun Birds. 

Redlands enjoyed a five-goal outburst in the third stanza, with senior center-defender Danny Hartwig (Vista, CA0 accounting for three of the scores.  Junior driver Kevin Chapa (Carlsbad, CA) and Shippen added to the offensive explosion to make it 10-7 with just one period remaining.

Shippen's insurance goal in the final period was all the Bulldogs needed to secure the 11-8 win.

Senior goalkeeper Chris Sekula (LaGrange, IL) patrolled the Redlands cage by making five saves and nabbing four steals.

The Bulldogs' win streak stretched to four with a 7-5 decision against Whittier in the afternoon match of the CBU Lancer Invite.  Redlands jumped out to a 6-2 start through the midway point of the contest.  Despite a scoreless third frame, the Maroon and Gray stayed out in front through the final whistle en route to the victory.  Senior driver Zac Polmanteer's (Long Beach, CA) second goal of the game served as the game-winner, while Hartwig remained efficient on offense by recording two of the Bulldogs' netters.

Sekula provided 12 saves and four steals in a solid effort.

Redlands (7-9) looks forward to competing at home for the first time since September 11 when it hosts McKendree University (IL) on Thursday, October 6, at 7 p.m. in the Thompson Aquatic Center.