Glendora, CA (Men’s Water Polo) -- The Cuesta College men’s water polo team threw a haymaker at Citrus on Friday afternoon, in the form of freshman Hunter Hamaker who scored a game high seven goals in their 16-7 victory over Citrus. Hamaker scored five goals in the first period as the Cougars cruised to their third conference win of the season.
Cuesta wasted little time in rushing out to a lead against the Owls, scoring six goals in the first period alone. Citrus tried to keep pace with a pair of Justin Coy goals and a score from Jordan Rivas, but Cuesta was too much to handle taking a 6-3 lead after one.
Things didn’t get much better in the second quarter, as Hamaker added two more goals, and Cuesta took a commanding 11-5 lead into the break. In the second half, Citrus’ defense would step up slowing down, the Cuesta offense, while holding them to just five goals total over the final two quarters, but Cuesta did the same, allowing just two late Citrus goals in the fourth quarter and finishing the game with a 16-7 victory.
In the loss Citrus was led by Coy, who had five goals, while Cuesta’s Hamaker recorded a game high seven. With the loss Citrus falls to 11-16 overall and 1-3 in Western State Conference play, while Cuesta improves to 16-11 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
This afternoon’s game marked the end of the regular season for the Fighting Owls, with the conference tournament left to decide Citrus’ playoff fate. If the Owls are to make a playoff run, they will have to win the conference tournament hosted in their home pool. The tournament will begin next Friday at 12:30 PM.
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