THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran men's water polo team fought hard in a physical match against Whittier, but eventually fell 14-9 to the Poets at Samuelson Aquatic Center on Saturday afternoon.

Three minutes into the first quarter, Camron Hauer broke through with a close range goal to give CLU an early 1-0 advantage.

The Poets, led by the reigning SCIAC Newcomer of the Year Massimiliano Mirarchi, stormed back with two consecutive goals from the sophomore to take the lead.

After Ryan Moguel tied the game up for the Violet and Gold, the Poets tacked on another to end the first quarter up 3-2.

Mirarchi poured in back-to-back goals to open the second frame but a Hauer goal followed by a breakaway goal from AJ Franklin brought CLU within one, 5-4.

Unfortunately for the Kingsmen, that was as close as they would get as the Mirarchi and the Poets extended their lead with a 3-1 scoring edge over CLU in the third quarter to go up 10-6. Mirarchi added two more scores in the fourth quarter and Whittier would clinch the victory, 14-9.

Franklin and Hauer led the Kingsmen with three goals apiece while Moguel, George French and Mats Albins added the other goals. Nick Loomis notched nine saves in front of the net and also had three steals to lead the team. Shea Craig and Franklin also came through with steals in the game for CLU. Zack Card led the Kingsmen with four assists.

Mirarchi was unstoppable all game for the Poets and finished with a game-high nine goals. Oliver Bineth totaled six saves in the goal for Whittier.

Next up for Cal Lutheran (8-11, 2-3 SCIAC) is a road matchup with Redlands this Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 4:00 p.m.

Box Score: WC 14, CLU 9
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