The 18th-ranked University of Redlands men's water polo team dove back into the pool on Sunday for two more matches at the Inland Empire Classic. While competing against Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) rivals, Redlands registered solid wins in non-conference action against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, 15-10, and Occidental College, 12-4.
Against the Sagehens, the Bulldogs came out firing when junior driver Michael Robinson (Corona, CA) nailed a goal for the early Redlands lead. After the team made a couple of defensive stops, senior center Clint Freeman (Brentwood, CA) threw a behind-the-back, no-look shot into the back of the net. Freeman went on to score two more goals to give the Maroon and Gray a 4-3 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
In the middle of the second period, sophomore driver John Koning (Poway, CA) took off on a breakaway to add to the Bulldog advantage. After outstanding defensive stops, Redlands headed into halftime with a 9-6 lead over the Sagehens.
However, Pomona-Pitzer came out of halftime with two quick goals, but Robinson answered back with a sniper into the top of the cage.
Freshman goalkeeper Chris Sekula (LaGrange, IL) helped to guide the Bulldogs with miraculous saves that kept Pomona out of the goal. After one such play, the Maroon and Gray took that momentum onto the offensive side by swinging the ball around the perimeter to find an open look for Robinson to make it 11-8. Senior driver Quinn Curl (San Mateo, CA) added a penalty-shot goal to end the third stanza with Redlands ahead by a score of 12-8.
The Bulldogs added to their lead and continued the defensive pressure, resulting in a final score of 15-10. Freeman and Robinson led the way for Redlands with five goals apiece.
Later in the afternoon, Redlands showed no sign of fatigue as it jumped out to an early 5-0 lead against Occidental.
However, defense also was instrumental in the Bulldogs' victory, as they forced the Tigers to commit multiple shot-clock violations. Senior center-defender David Sekula (LaGrange, IL) spearheaded the defensive pressure as well as added one of his two goals in the game during the second quarter.
In the second half, the Bulldogs fired off four more goals, eventually taking down the Tigers by a final tally of 12-4.
No. 18 Redlands finished the Inland Empire Classic with a record of 2-2. The Bulldogs (3-5) return to action this Friday in the Lancer Invitational at Cal Baptist University. Their first match is set for 2:45 p.m. against Fresno Pacific University. Then, at 6:30 p.m., the Maroon and Gray takes on Occidental once again.
