Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College men's water polo team split in their final tune-up before the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Opener by falling 14-8 to No. 15 Navy but beating the Leopards of the University of La Verne 13-10 in the nightcap.
Whittier now improves to 4-7 overall and will open up SCIAC play next Wednesday, October 3 as they host the Beavers of the California Institute of Technology beginning at 7:00pm.
Game 1 (Navy – 14, Whittier – 8)
In game one Whittier came out of the starting blocks strong tallying the first goal of the game from Goran Mataic and then regained the lead in the 4th minute after a Navy exclusion again from Mataic. But in the final 27 seconds of the frame Navy was able to counter off of a Whittier misfire and tack on the go ahead goal to close out the quarter taking the one goal lead 3-2.
Coming out in the second, Navy added a quick goal but saw Whittier find the back of the net twice from Mataic and Douglas Marriott that evened the score up at 4-4. After a Midshipmen goal that again put Navy in front 5-4 Whittier answered with the equalizer from Kyle Catino that evened the game up at 5-5. But again Navy answered in the final seconds to again regain a one goal lead going into the half 6-5.
Coming out in the third, Navy went on a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 10-5 until Catino was able to stop the bleeding at the 3:17 mark. After another goal from the Midshipmen, Whittier's Michael Eachus was able to connect to pull the Poets within four to close out the third.
In the final quarter of play, Whittier was held to one goal by Marriott who was able to capitalize off of a Navy penalty. But this wasn't enough as Navy outscored the Poets 3-1 in the final quarter to hold onto the seven goal victory.
Game 2 (Whittier – 13, La Verne – 10)
In game two it was all Whittier as Marriott led the charge with four goals two coming in the third quarter breaking the game wide open. The Poets jumped out in front early behind a trio of goals from Marriott, Catino, and Justin Pratt and held a two goal advantage after the first. Coming out in the second they continued their offensive presecnce as they held the Leopards to just one goal while adding on four more of their own to extend their lead to 7-2 going into the half. During this frame Mataic, Marriott, Kurt Holzmuller, and Christian Sook added scores.
In the second half, La Verne made a comeback that fell just short despite Whittier holding the Leopards to just three goals in the third. After three quarters of play Whittier held an 11-5 lead after they added four goals in the third frame coming from Marriott (2), Gavin Kerr, Mataic, and Catino.
In the final quarter La Verne outscored Whittier 5-2, which included a 5-0 run that closed out the game, but it wasn't enough as Whittier held on for the three goal victory.
It was battle all night long with tempers flaring on both sides previewing the intensity that will be shown within SCIAC play. La Verne was issued a yellow card on the bench along with a penalty on Williams for unsportsmanlike conduct, while Whittier was tagged with a penalty in the fourth quarter on Kevin Schofield for unsportsmanlike conduct.
