ORANGE, Calif. - For the first time of the year, the Cal Lutheran men's water polo team faced a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) opponent in league action. At Chapman this morning, the Panthers got the best of the Kingsmen, as CLU fell 12-11 in the conference opener despite a come-from-behind effort late.

Offensive Highlights: CLU looked to transfer Mats Albins for four goals as his first hat-trick of the season and career best. Jack Acampora added a pair as the only other player with multiple goals on a day when seven different Kingsmen found the back of the net. Shea Craig and AJ Franklin handed out a pair of assists apiece and Franklin earned a team-leading three drawn ejections. Craig and Ryan Moguel each had two in the game.

Defensive Highlights: Franklin was a menace defensively as well with two field blocks. Zack Card and Chris Gardhouse each tallied a field block as well on a day that CLU managed just three steals. Nick Loomis did the goalkeeping, notching eight saves.

The Opponent: Jack Hillman and Jeff O'Brien each scored three goals for the Panthers. Chapman moves to 9-7 on the season and 1-0 in league play.

Notables: CLU and CU entered halftime knotted at 5-5. After the third, the Panthers had taken an 8-6 advantage and the Violet and Gold pulled within one after a five-goal fourth quarter. Today was the first game of the SCIAC schedule for both teams.

Next Up: Cal Lutheran (6-9, 0-1 SCIAC) returns to the Samuelson Aquatics Center for a 4:00 p.m. first sprint against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Box Score: CU 12, CLU 11
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