Bulldog Men's Water Polo Falters to Pomona-Pitzer

Photo credit: Rachel Roche
Photo credit: Rachel Roche

The University of Redlands men's water polo team squared off against the Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Sagehens in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on Saturday at the Thompson Aquatic Center.  After trailing early, the Bulldogs struggled to respond and suffered a 4-13 loss to the Sagehens.

After the visitors quickly built a 2-0 lead in the first quarter, Redlands cut the deficit on a counterattack.   Junior attacker Tyler Strabel (Canyon Lake, CA) converted a goal off a feed from senior attacker Ty Williams (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) to make it 1-2 with 3:49 left in the frame.

The Bulldogs had their chances with two of their next two shots hitting the post, including a blast from junior center Carl Matthews (Yorba Linda, CA) that followed a nice steal from sophomore utility player Jasen Swan (Glendora, CA).

However, Pomona-Pitzer closed out the quarter with another goal to carry a 3-1 lead into the second period.

After three more Sagehen goals, the Bulldogs finally broke through with 1:10 left in the half to make it a 2-6 game when Swan fired one into the back of the net.

Now trailing 3-7, junior center Cooper Krause (Denver, CA) drew an exclusion, which led to a score from classmate attacker Spencer Allen (Seal Beach, CA) at the 6:13 mark of the third quarter.

Pomona-Pitzer's offense continued to click and the Sagehens entered the fourth frame with a 12-3 advantage.

Each team scored only once in the final eight minutes.  For the Maroon and Gray, senior attacker Grant Curry (San Diego, CA) took a pass from Allen and registered a goal with 4:52 remaining.

Redlands (12-14, 6-5 SCIAC) continues conference action by hosting Occidental College on Wednesday, October 31, at 7 p.m.