CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran men's water polo team participated in the 2016 Gary Troyer Tournament on Friday and Saturday, earning a big win over Connecticut College before falling in three close contests.
CLU def. Connecticut College 17-8
The Kingsmen continued their dominance over Connecticut College, taking the first game of the tournament 17-8 over the Camels, after defeating them 20-8 earlier this season. Connecticut College held a 7-6 lead at the half over CLU, but the Kingsmen outscored them 11-1 in the second half, including 5-0 in the third quarter. Zack Card scored two goals in the third to help the Violet and Gold pull away and Camron Hauer scored two of his three goals in the second half. Taggart Diehl tied with Hauer for game-high honors with three goals while Card, Chris Gardhouse and George French added two apiece. Gardhouse also led the way with four assists, four drawn ejections and three steals. Nick Loomis had a big day with 15 saves in the cage.
Fresno Pacific def. CLU 13-9
The Kingsmen took an early lead on a goal from Gardhouse in the first period and extended it to a 4-2 advantage midway through the second period after goals from Mats Albins and Hauer. From there, however, Fresno Pacific scored seven unanswered goals to turn the tides and command a 9-4 lead. CLU scored three goals in the fourth quarter but the Sunbirds had an answer each time to maintain their lead. Gardhouse finished with a team-high five goals to go along with four steals and Hauer added three goals. Loomis recorded eight saves.
Fordham def. CLU 10-7
In the first game on Saturday, the Kingsmen took Fordham down to the wire, trailing by just one goal entering the final quarter until the Rams held off the Violet and Gold attack with the final three goals of the game. French led the way with three goals while Gardhouse, Card, Diehl and Seth Hightower also scored. Gardhouse was a menace on the defensive end with four steals and Loomis tallied 12 saves in the cage.
Concordia-Irvine def. CLU 16-14 (OT)
The final matchup of the tournament was a shootout featuring 30 goals and needed overtime to decide. Concordia-Irvine took an early lead, up 5-2 after the first quarter, but CLU scored five times in the second to get back in the game. The second half went back-and-forth as both teams traded goals and eventually remained locked at 14-14 as the final horn sounded. In overtime it was all Concordia-Irvine, as the Eagles scored a goal in both periods and held the Kingsmen scoreless. Gardhouse and Card tied for team-high honors with four goals each and Gardhouse racked up four more drawn ejections. Loomis finished with 10 saves.
Cal Lutheran has one more non-conference match against Cuesta College this Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 4:00 p.m. at home before beginning Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play against Occidental on the road Saturday, Oct. 15 at 11:00 a.m.
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