WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 24, 2022)- The Poets men's water polo team opened up conference play against Cal Lutheran, but came up short, falling 8-6. 

Whittier opened the first period strong, as senior Patrick Seelhorst scored the first goal of the game less than one minute into play. The Poets played well defensively throughout the first, allowing only two goals. In the closing seconds of the quarter, Seelhorst dented the twine to even the score, 2-2.

The second period saw the Kingsmen score two unanswered goals before Seelhorst scored again in the closing seconds to cut his team's halftime deficit to 4-3.

The third quarter was Whittier's best of the game. Three minutes into the period, Ricky Reyes Jr. tied the game up at 4, scoring his only goal of the day. After Whittier allowed Cal Lu to take a 5-4 lead, Ethan Saenz tied the game again at 5. With 23 seconds left in the third, Seelhorst struck again to give the Poets a 6-5 lead going into the fourth and final period. 

As the fourth started, the Poets fell behind early and were unable to rebound. The Poets would eventually fall to Kingsmen, 8-6. 

The star of the match was Seelhorst, who scored four of the Poets' six goals and contributed a steal. 

The Poets look to even their conference record at 1-1 next Wednesday, September 28, as they host the Caltech Beavers at 7 p.m. at the Lillian Slade Aquatics Center. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com