The University of Redlands men's water polo team headed to Chapman University this morning for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) showdown. The Bulldogs led through the first half, but the Panthers erupted for eight goals in the second stanza, handing Redlands an 11-13 loss.

Although Chapman scored first, the Bulldogs came right back to knock down consecutive goals from senior attacker Carter Kerwin (Bakersfield, CA) and sophomore attacker Tor Cole (Malibu, CA). With 42 seconds left in the first, Chapman knotted the score at 2-2. However, the tie did not last long, as senior attacker Spencer Allen (Long Beach, CA) got in on the scoring action by finding the back of the net at 32 seconds and one second to take back the lead, 4-2.

Play remained balanced through the second quarter, with Redlands and Chapman each putting up three scores. The Bulldogs held a 7-5 lead at the break.

Unfortunately, the Panthers found some energy during halftime scoring five goals in the third. Junior attacker Chris Frejlach (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) executed a successful five-meter shot to keep Redlands within striking distance at 8-10 heading into the final period.

Allen efficiently found the back of the net just 25 seconds into the fourth to close the gap to one.  However, Chapman recorded the next two scores to extend its advantage. Although the Bulldogs stayed persistent with goals off the hands of senior center defender Carl Matthews (Yorba Linda, CA) and Kerwin, the Panthers hung on to their slight lead at the end of the game, sending the Bulldogs home with a tough, 11-13 loss.

Redlands (6-6, 1-1) looks to jump back into the win column as it takes on Occidental College on Wednesday, October 2, at 7 p.m. at the Thompson Aquatic Center.