The University of Redlands men's water polo team took on two formidable opponents today during a home doubleheader. The Bulldogs prevailed over Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) rival Whittier College in a 9-8 overtime victory before sinking regional foe Chapman University by a score of 16-7.
In the Bulldogs' first contest, the Maroon and Gray garnered a 2-1 lead over the Poets after the first period. But Whittier knotted the score during the second stanza, making it three all. The third period saw Redlands nab a 5-4 lead before the Poets answered with a four-goal outburst in the fourth frame. However, the Bulldogs nearly matched their offense with a three-goal showing, leading to a dead-even score of eight apiece at the final whistle of regulation.
Both teams really stepped up their defense as neither one of them found the back of the net during the first overtime period but then Redlands rallied for a single score in the second extra frame, capturing the hard-fought 9-8 victory.
The Bulldogs gained a hat trick from senior center Brendan Meaney (Palm Desert, CA), while junior driver Jeff Parsons (Newark, CA) stepped up with two goals of his own. Senior center Blake vanHartesvelt (Mercer Island, WA), senior driver Bo Sidhu (Indio, CA), freshman driver Tucker Creevy (Crofton, MD) and senior Andrew Smith-Jones (Annapolis, MD) each recorded one score. Sophomore goalkeeper Jessie Gunther (Perris, CA) racked up nine saves while patrolling the Redlands net.
Later in the day, the Maroon and Gray returned to action by facing off against non-conference opponent Chapman University in a regional showdown against the Panthers.
During the 16-7 victory, Redlands benefited from a well-rounded offense that included 10 different scorers, as well as the strong play of its net-minders. Meaney improved upon his earlier performance by posting four goals, while junior driver Danny Boessenecker (Clayton, CA), Parson and Creevy each tossed in two scores. Smith-Jones, freshman center John Nietzel (Old Greenwich, CT), junior driver Shane Anderson (Riverside, CA), sophomore driver Patrick Roth (Cottonwood Heights, UT), freshman center-defender Spencer Peugh (Alamo, CA), and freshman driver Clint Freeman (Brentwood, CA) all contributed to the scoring efforts with one goal apiece.
Gunther continued to protect the Redlands goal, earning 11 saves in the process. He shared time with freshman goalkeeper Tyler Abbott (Alta Loma, CA), who tallied three saves.
With today's victory over Whittier, Redlands (15-12, 5-0 SCIAC) remains in first place of the SCIAC as the only undefeated team in the conference. The Bulldogs look forward to hosting Senior Night on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.
