Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
REDLANDS, Calif. – The Whittier College men's water polo team opened up the Inland Empire Classic with two losses to No. 12 UC Davis and No. 14 Santa Clara dropping their record to 2-3 on the season.
Game 1 – (No. 12 UC Davis def. Whittier – 16-10)
The Poets faced Div. I UC Davis in their first game of the tournament and found themselves in a battle after the first quarter remaining tied 2-2 with the Aggies. The Purple & Gold received goals from Kyle Catino and Goran Mataic and then continued the offense in the second frame with two more goals from Cameron Rehm and Mataic to enter the half only down 5-4. Coming out of the break Whittier added another three goals from Michael Eachus and Douglas Marriot but allowed five goals to the Aggies helping them extend their lead to 10-6 entering the final quarter.
In the 4th Whittier continued their offensive presence adding a couple quick goals that pulled them closer from Eachus, and Kurt Holzmuller and then received two more from Marriot and Justin Pratt but UC Davis' offense was too much for Whittier as they pulled away late to pull off the six goal victory.
Game 2 – (No. 14 Santa Clara def. Whittier – 12-9)
In the second game of the day, Whittier found themselves pinned against yet another Div. I foe in Santa Clara and again saw a tie after the first in the form of 3-3 thanks to Rehm, Carlos Panfilo, and Mataic. Santa Clara held a one goal advantage entering the half 6-5 despite back to back goals from Eachus and Mataic that pulled the Poets within one.
Coming out of the half, Whittier managed only one goal from Gavin Kerr and saw Santa Clara run their lead to 10-6 but put out a strong offensive presence in the final frame outscoring Santa Clara 3-2 behind goals from Rehm, Mataic, and Marriot but it wasn't enough as Santa Clara held on for the 12-9 victory.
Whittier resumes the Inland Empire Classic tomorrow, September 9 as they take on Redlands and UC Santa Barbara with game times slated for 12:15pm and 3:15pm.
