Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Men's Water Polo team was tested at home Saturday morning as they needed a last second goal to hold off the University of Redlands 10-9.

The Bulldogs exploded for an early 3-0 lead that put WC in an early hole, but sophomore Massimiliano Mirarchi (Rome, Italy) would bring the Purple & Gold within one with back to back strikes to move the score to 3-2 after the first eight minutes of play.

Mirarchi would add another two in the second quarter with one coming early that tied things up at 3-3, but UR would respond with two of their own to go back in front by two as they would go into the break leading 5-4.

In the third, the Bulldogs were held scoreless and had no answer for Mirarchi as he continued where he left off in the first half adding three of the Poets five goals in the frame that put the Purple & Gold in front 9-5.

In the fourth, Redlands battled back to pull within one at 9-8 with three unanswered that covered almost six minutes.  With 20 seconds remaining, UR would gain a man-up situation, which they would capitalize on adding the equalizer with four seconds left, but again it would be Mirarchi coming up huge on Whittier's final possession connecting from long range for the game-winner as time expired. 

Mirarchi finished with a season high eight goals to lead Whittier.

Whittier returns to the pool this Wednesday, October 21 as they travel to take on Occidental College beginning at 7:00pm.