REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Men's Water Polo team (1-7) dropped both games on the final day of the Inland Empire Classic (IEC) Saturday falling to a pair of Top-10 NCAA Division I nationally ranked teams. In game one the Bulldogs lost 20-10 to No. 10 University of the Pacific and then closed out the two-day event with a 14-7 loss to No. 7 University of California, Irvine.
Game 1 (University of the Pacific; L, 20-10)
The Bulldogs and Tigers combined for nine goals in the first quarter where Oliver Child (Dana Point, CA), Ossie Joplin (Kentfield, CA), and Brody Nielsen (Capitola, CA) scored with Lennon Franklin (Redlands, CA) and Oliver Finley picking up assists.
Joseph Madigan (Arlington, VA) scored the lone Bulldog goal in the second when he scored off a powerplay in the first :32 seconds.
The final six goals came from Harrison DeCourcy (Alameda, CA) (2), Sebas Maccalla (Altadena, CA) (2), Joplin, and Stephen Ramirez (Pasadena, CA).
Game 2 (UC Irvine; L, 14-7)
Seconds after the opening sprint, Finley found Franklin for a quick 1-0 Bulldog lead. The other first quarter goal came at the 4:52 mark when Tim Jensen (Elmhurst, Ill.) fed Matthew Wheeler (Visalia, CA) to draw the Bulldogs within one, 3-2.
Camilo Solis (Camarillo, CA) and Michael Villagran (Glendora, CA) scored back-to-back goals to end the first half and brought the Bulldogs to within five, 9-4.
DeCourcy, Jensen, and Brady Bailey (Ramona, CA) scored the final three goals in the second 16 minutes of action.
Troy Barker (Roseville, CA) started and played the full 32:00 minutes. He made five saves, had an assist, and recorded three steals. He finished the tournament with 10 steals, the most among all competitors.
The Bulldogs will have two weeks off before they travel to Los Angeles for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Invitational on Friday-Sunday, September 19-21 with opponents to be determined.
