The University of Redlands men's water polo team took to the road for a pair of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) matches on Saturday, earning split results on the outing.  The Bulldogs opened the day with a defensive battle against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges but fell in a 4-9 decision before cruising by the Caltech Beavers in a 17-8 thrashing.

The game against the Sagehens began as a defensive struggle on both ends of the pool, as Pomona-Pitzer tallied a pair of goals in the first eight minutes as the only offense. During the second quarter, Redlands found the back of the net once to account for the lone goal of the frame.  Junior center-defender Ilan Dayan (Sao Paulo, Brazil) put the Bulldogs on the board with 2:49 left on the clock.

After halftime, the Sagehens came out rejuvenated and effectively put together a 5-1 run in the third quarter to take a lead they would not relinquish.  Sophomore attack player Spencer Allen (Long Beach, CA) scored for the Maroon and Gray during this spurt.

Although Redlands gained one goal apiece from junior attack player Grant Curry (San Diego, CA) and freshman utility player Jasen Swan (Glendora, CA) in the final quarter, it was not enough to overcome the late deficit.

Freshman goalkeeper Chris Martinez (Santa Ana, CA) supplied 13 saves and two steals in the loss.

Redlands made the short jaunt from Claremont to Pasadena to face the Beavers in the afternoon contest.  After the teams traded early scores, the Bulldogs erupted with a persistent offense that found the back of the net at least four times each quarter to take home the dominating win.

Leading 4-3 after the first frame, the Maroon and Gray stepped on the gas pedal for a 4-1 run that came off of goals by senior utility player Max Taylor (Henderson, NV), junior center-defender Sean Todd (Highland, CA), and Curry. 

Now up by an 8-4 advantage, Redlands continued to cruise in the third quarter with a four-goal, shutout performance.  With Martinez making plenty of stops and the Bulldogs nabbing steals, the Beavers had no chance to overcome the deficit.  Offensively, Curry, Swan, and Taylor found the back of the net for the Bulldogs.

The fourth quarter saw a closer battle, with Redlands earning the slight 5-4 scoring advantage to stay well ahead by the final whistle.  Sophomore attack player Reece Koe (Camarillo, CA), freshman attack player Chris Frejlach (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), sophomore center Cooper Krause (Denver, CO), sophomore utility player Blake Burney (Las Vegas, NC), and freshman utility player Michael Goldbach (Huntington Beach, CA) each scored once for the Maroon and Gray.

Martinez finished the game with seven saves and three steals in a complete-game effort.

Redlands (12-15, 7-5 SCIAC) remains on the road when it travels to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Wednesday, November 8, for a 7 p.m. showdown against the Stags.