REDLANDS, Calif. – The Inland Empire Classic for the University of Redlands Men's Water Polo team came to a close Sunday with the Bulldogs holding off Concordia University Irvine 9-6, while the match-up with California Baptist University was postponed due to lightning delays.
The Maroon and Grey finish the weekend going 2-1, with a pair of wins over Fresno Pacific and Concordia (CA). They improve to 3-4 on the season.
Game 1 (Concordia - W, 9-6)
For the second time in two weeks the Bulldogs found themselves paired up with the Golden Eagles and for the second time were able to hand them a loss as they held on for the three-goal victory at the Thompson Aquatic Center. The last time these two teams met, which was at the Triton Invitational, UR won 15-14 in Sudden Death OT.
This time around Redlands jumped out in front early and maintained control throughout as they used a big 1st and 3rd Quarter to pull off the win. Across the opening eight minutes the defensive unit stood tough holding the Golden Eagles to just one goal, while Jake Rose (San Diego, CA), Drake Moody (Camarillo, CA), and Andrew Sorensen (Long Beach, CA) would find the offense early, moving the score to 3-1.
It was a defensive standoff in the 2nd Quarter with both teams putting up a tally. Ron Gvishi (Kiryat Tivon, Israel) got onto the stat sheet at the 5:20 mark, which kept it a two-goal game at the break. Another three goals were put up in the 3rd Quarter for the Bulldogs, this time from Sorensen, Alec Abrahamian (Glendale, CA), and Spencer Clinton (Cypress, CA). This made it a four-goal advantage and the Maroon and Grey didn't look back, taking this momentum into the 4th Quarter, adding another two strikes from Andrew Higginson (San Diego, CA) and Spencer Sellwood (Irvine, CA) that sealed the win.
Brandon Khalil (Bakersfield, CA) again played outstanding between the posts totaling eight saves and a steal. He was also at a .571 save percentage. Sorensen completed the hat trick to go with an assist, Clinton added a goal and two dimes and Higginson and Abrahamian would add a goal and an assist each.
Game 2 (California Baptist – Postponed)
Following the lunch break, the schedule started to back up due to the threat of rain and lightning. Occidental and Concordia were able to finish their match-up despite a 30-minute lightning delay. Chapman and Fresno Pacific got through a quarter and a half of theirs before being pulled out due to lightning in the area. They then returned to the pool after another 30-minute delay, and almost got to the 4th Quarter, but were delayed for a second time. Both coaches then agreed to end the game at that point, allowing Chapman to come away with the victory.
The last game on the schedule was Redlands and Cal Baptist and despite getting a warm-up in, never got the game started due to a number of lightning threats in the area.
Both coaches have agreed to postpone this game and play it at another time over the next few weeks.
Redlands returns to the pool next weekend, September 17-18 in Colorado Springs, CO when they take part in the Air Force Academy Invite. Over the two days they will take on St. Francis (NY) (Sept. 17 @ 8:00am), Air Force (Sept. 17 @ 11:00am), Iona (Sept. 18 @ 9:30am), and Westcliff (Sept. 18 @ 1:15pm).
