The University of Redlands men's water polo team overcame an early deficit with a four-goal outburst in the second period to capture a tight 9-8 victory over familiar foe Whittier College in the first round of the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championships at Santa Clara University.

Against the Poets, the Bulldogs trailed by two after the first frame but then exploded for four unanswered scores during the second, resulting in a 5-3 advantage.

Whittier cut the lead to one during the third period but an evenly match fourth stanza gave Redlands the final 9-8 victory.

All-WWPA performer senior center Brendan Meaney (Palm Desert, CA) led the Bulldogs with three goals, while junior driver Jeff Parsons (Newark, CA) and senior center-defender Andrew Smith-Jones (Annapolis, MD) stepped up with two apiece. Sophomore driver Zac Chierici (Millbrae, CA) and freshman center-defender Spencer Peugh (Alamo, CA) each recorded one score for the Maroon and Gray.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jessie Gunther (Perris, CA) patrolled the Redlands cage, making an incredible 13 stops between the pipes.

With today's win, the Bulldogs (19-14) move on to play top-seeded Loyola Marymount University later this afternoon at 3:40 p.m.