REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Men's Water Polo team picked up their second win of 2021 on Thursday, as they beat Ottawa University (AZ), 14-10, to wrap up the non-conference doubleheader at the Thompson Aquatic Center.
The Maroon and Grey opened the day with an afternoon match-up with Division I Fordham University before ending the day with a grudge match against Ottawa.
Game 1 (Fordham – L, 12-6)
After surrendering four goals in the opening period, the Bulldogs bounced back with Austin Galanski (Bakersfield, CA) finding the back of the net twice across the middle two frames. This gave UR some momentum as they would outscore the Rams 4-1 during the final eight minutes, with Tanner Whitson (St. Louis, MO), Parker Murai (Carlsbad, CA), Jack Ryan (Ventura, CA), and Thomas Byrne (Superior, CO) each scoring in the final 3:22.
Redlands took 23 shots for the game, shooting .261. They were 3-for-9 on power plays and saw senior Jason Gates (San Jose, CA) post a career-high 17 saves and a steal between the posts while playing all 32:00 minutes.
Game 2 (Ottawa – W, 14-10)
The last time these two teams met was at the Inland Empire Classic, where the Bulldogs were on the opposite side of an 11-10 decision. This time around, they avenged that defeat by beating the Spirit, 14-10.
Senior Tor Cole (Malibu, CA) and first-year Galanski put UR on top three minutes into the opening quarter. However, Ottawa rallied with three unanswered to go in front 4-2. With 27 seconds left, Michael Maher (Fremont, CA) converted a pass from Cole by finding the back of the net to make it a one-score game.
It was a back-and-forth second quarter, with each team scoring three times. The Spirit struck first with two quick connections but saw that lead disappear, as Andrew Sorensen (Long Beach, CA), Michael Driscoll (Escondido, CA), and Drake Moody (Camarillo, CA) all scored, which helped make it a one-score game at the half. Following some adjustments at intermission from Head Coach Ryan Hall, the Bulldogs came out firing on all cylinders, outscoring the Spirit, 5-2. Max Wagener led the run with two of the first three goals out of the break and Spencer Clinton (Cypress, CA), Cole, and Ethan Beaty (Denver, CO) contributed to the Bulldogs' 11-9 lead.
The advantage moved to four following back-to-back tallies from Moody to start the fourth, while Cole put the finishing touches on an impressive performance by beating the keeper at the 1:19-mark to seal the victory.
Redlands finished with 31 shots, shooting .452, while going 4-for-13 on power plays. Gates again played all 32:00 minutes and had double-digit saves with 11 to go with another steal.
Redlands returns to the pool this Saturday, October 2, for the Gary Troyer Tournament. They will wrap up their non-conference schedule against Johns Hopkins University (10:15am) and Long Beach State (2:00pm). Both games will take place at Haldeman Pool on the campus of Pomona-Pitzer.
