NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Cal Lutheran men's water polo team wrapped up a successful weekend at the Connecticut College Invitational with four wins coming against MIT, Iona, Penn State-Behrend and host Connecticut College on Saturday and Sunday.
CLU def. MIT 10-6
In the first game of the weekend, CLU squared off against MIT and got off to an early start behind four first half goals from Chris Gardhouse.The two teams would find themselves in a defensive battle in the third period that saw no score and no stoppages until Zack Card scored a goal with four seconds left on the clock. Nick Loomis was instrumental in goal for the Kingsmen, racking up a season-high 14 saves to keep the Engineers offense at bay. Card finished with three goals and two steals while Taggart Diehl led the way with three steals on the defensive end. Mats Albins, Davy Thomas and Ben Russell also scored for the Violet and Gold.
CLU def. Iona 13-9
In the second game on Saturday, the Kingsmen were pitted against Division I Iona and pulled out a 13-9 victory behind a big second half. CLU trailed 4-2 early on but managed to tie the score at 6-6 behind a ramped up defensive attack and a more patient offensive unit. In the third quarter, it was all CLU as they poured in four straight goals to take a 10-6 lead and they would hold on for the victory. Gardhouse continued to have the hot hand with three more goals and also added four steals defensively and five drawn exclusions. Albins also tallied a hat-trick while Card, Camron Hauer and Russell each scored a pair. Card was finding his teammates throughout the game and finished with five assists. Loomis finished with 11 saves and two steals protecting the cage for the Kingsmen.
CLU def. Penn State-Behrend 19-3
In the third game of the weekend and first on Sunday, CLU rolled past Penn State-Behrend after scoring 10 first half goals including seven in the first quarter. Diehl led the way with four goals in a game that saw 12 different Kingsmen score. Russell added a trifecta while Gardhouse and Jack Kirby each scored twice. Kirby also led on the defensive end along with Matt Fong, who came away with three steals apiece.
CLU def. Connecticut College 20-8
In the final game of the invitational, the Kingsmen continued their rampant scoring pace with 20 more goals. Gardhouse led the charge with five more goals to give him 14 in four games. He also added five drawn ejections to go along with a steal and an assist. Albins and Diehl each provided a hat-trick while Russell and Card added two goals. CLU led 8-5 at halftime before outscoring the Camels 12-3 in the second half and 8-2 in the fourth quarter. Loomis finished with 11 saves.
Next up: Cal Lutheran returns to Thousand Oaks, Calif. for the Kingsmen Mini Tournament where it will take on Ventura College and Occidental this Friday, Sept. 23 at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., respectively.
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