ANNAPOLIS, Md. - A new season, which started this weekend, Sept. 5-6, at the United States Naval Academy Open, has brought another tough preseason schedule for the Cal Lutheran men's water polo team. The Kingsmen dove in against a trio of top-tier Division I programs, in Johns Hopkins, Navy and Princeton, to start the year before earning their first win of the season in the tournament finale against Connecticut College on Sunday morning.
Princeton def. CLU 18-2:
On opening day, CLU struggled against Princeton, registering just two goals that came from Zack Card and Ryan Moguel. Chris Gardhouse had two drawn ejections in his first game for the Kingsmen. Nick Loomis finished with six saves and a steal in two quarters of action.
Johns Hopkins def. CLU 19-6:
Jack Acampora led the offense with two goals while Card and Moguel each added another. Both Gardhouse and Mats Albins found the back of the net for CLU for the first time in the contest. Gardhouse also added two drawn ejections and two steals, matching Tyler Graper for a team-high. Loomis turned away seven shots and came away with another steal while Michael Walk finished with two saves and two steals.
Navy def. CLU 16-9:
Facing host Navy early on Sunday morning, CLU had a much better showing despite the loss. The Violet and Gold looked to Gardhouse for two goals in as many shots with Acampora and Albins each producing a pair as well. Card added another while Shea Craig and Cameron Knudsen notched his first goals of the season in the game. Knudsen also led the team with two assists and Acampora led the way with four drawn ejections. Loomis recorded six more saves and Walk worked the second half, saving three shots and nabbing three steals.
CLU def. Connecticut College 10-8:
Card scored five goals on six attempts for a nearly perfect shooting game to pace the squad. He added four steals, also leading the team, and had one of two field blocks with the other credited to Jake Gallagher. AJ Franklin put a pair in the back of the net for his first contributions of the year while Acampora, Card and Gardhouse rounded out the scoring. Craig and Franklin combined for six drawn ejections, three apiece. Walk and Loomis again split time in front of the cage, making five and four saves, respectively.
Notables: At different points of the weekend both Nick Loomis and Michael Walk made the first collegiate start of his CLU career. A pair of players made his debut for Cal Lutheran including Mats Albins and Chris Gardhouse. Each contributed and will be instrumental role players throughout the season.
Next Up: Cal Lutheran (1-3) will be out of competition for 10 days with the home opener set for Sept. 16 when the Kingsmen host Ventura College at 5:00 p.m. inside of the Samuelson Aquatics Center.
Schedule: Cal Lutheran
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