WHITTIER, Calif. – Another busy Sunday at Lillian Slade Aquatics Center gave the Whittier College men's water polo team one more win to add to its strong start.
The Poets split their home doubleheader, opening the day with a 20-10 victory over Grossmont College before falling 14-10 to Orange Coast College in the afternoon.
Whittier wasted little time taking control of the opener.
The Poets scored five times in the first quarter before adding six goals in both the second and third periods, building a 17-7 advantage through 24 minutes.
Sebastian Cadena led the scoring with three goals, finding the back of the net once in each of the first three quarters.
The offense was spread throughout the lineup behind him, with Whittier getting contributions from all over the pool. The Poets scored on 20 of their 23 shots and reached double figures before halftime, taking an 11-5 advantage into the break.
Whittier continued the pressure after halftime with another six-goal period to put the game firmly in control.
The afternoon matchup against Orange Coast brought a much tighter test.
After trailing 3-2 through the opening quarter, the Poets scored four times in the second to send the game into halftime even at 6-6.
Orange Coast created separation after the break, outscoring Whittier 4-2 in the third quarter and adding four more in the fourth to secure the 14-10 result.
Whittier still got a balanced offensive effort in the second game. Daniel Totev, Jason Dickson, Louis Hackett, and
Zander Huynh each scored twice, helping the Poets remain within striking distance throughout the afternoon.
The split closed another full weekend at home for Whittier after the Poets swept their Friday doubleheader against Mt. San Antonio and Long Beach City.
Whittier now heads north for its next tournament weekend. The Poets travel to San Luis Obispo, Calif. on Saturday, September 19, for the Cuesta NCAA Tournament hosted by Cuesta College.
Whittier opens the day against the host Cougars at 9 a.m. before facing UC Merced at noon.
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