Glendora, CA (Men’s Water Polo) -- The Citrus College men’s water polo team prolonged their season for at least one more day, but not in the way they had hoped. Needing to win the WSC Tournament for an outright bid into the Southern California playoffs, the Fighting Owls fell short, winning the play-in game of the tournament, and then falling in the semi-finals to Ventura College.
Freshman Ahmed Elsherif helped key the Fighting Owls to a win in the first game of the day, as he scored three goals (all in the second half) and handed out three assists in the 12-7 victory over Santa Monica College. Despite a slow start in the first half, Citrus righted the ship in the second out-scoring the Corsairs 8-3, grabbing their 12th win of the season.
The Fighting Owls weren’t able to fair as well in the second game as quickly jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the first quarter, and then doubled it the second, leading 8-4 at the half. Trailing by four points Citrus matched Ventura’s out-put in the third quarter, but ended up falling short in the fourth before settling in for their 15-9 loss to the Pirates In the loss Citrus was led by sophomore Justin Coy, who recorded five goals and an assist.
The Fighting Owls still have at least one game left on their 2008 schedule as they’ll battle LA Valley for third place tomorrow morning at 10:10 AM. The game will be a re-match of sorts for both teams, as the Monarchs beat Citrus during the regular season at Citrus, in sudden-death overtime.
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