Glendora, CA (Men’s Water Polo) – In a season wrought with injury and illness, the Citrus College men’s water polo team has struggled to kick start any momentum throughout the season. With three straight wins this past weekend at the Cuesta Tournament, the Fighting Owls were looking to continue the momentum they had built into this afternoon’s match with LA Valley. The momentum stopped today as Citrus fell 9-12.
It was the Monarchs who would come charging out of the gate to kick off the contest, as they scored the first two points of the game to take an early 2-0 lead in the 1st period. Citrus was finally able to answer back as Chris Werhle recorded a goal with four minutes to play, but Valley answered yet again as Jason Falitz’s goal pushed the Valley lead back up to two. Miles Deamer would help close the gap however as his goal with just over a minute to play, left the Owls down by only a goal to begin the 2nd period.
The 2nd frame kicked off with both teams trading goals, and with Valley still leading by one. The tables began to turn shortly after that however, as the Owls would score two unanswered goals by Deamer and Justin Coy giving the Owls a one point advantage at the half.
In the third quarter, things began to unravel for Citrus as Valley scored five straight goals to jump out to a 9-5 lead. Citrus would score two goals to close out the third, but the damage was all ready done, as Valley would out-core the Owls in the fourth period again to take a 12-9 win.
Deamer was the Owls leading scorer recording a game high four goals, while Coy chipped in with a goal and a game high four assists. Goalie Tony Pearson also had a game high with 10 saves.
With the loss the Fighting Owls fall to 7-16 overall and 1-3 in WSC play. The Fighting Owls will hit the road this weekend, as they participate in the second Golden West Tournament of the year for their final regular season competition.
Box Score