CLAREMONT, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's water polo (9-9, 2-5 SCIAC) traveled to face CMS (16-4, 7-0) on Saturday morning but were defeated 19-8. The Stags entered the matchup ranked #1 in Division-III and #18 across all NCAA divisions.

The Kingsmen got into a large hole early, as CMS jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening four-and-a-half minutes. Tre Eade was able to get Cal Lutheran on the board with a score at the 3:24 mark of the first quarter. The Stags responded with another goal before the Kingsmen were able to string together back-to-back conversions off the hands of Max Gerdeman and Nic Mastropoalo to cut their deficit to three. A last-second goal by CMS put the score at 7-3 after the first period.

The Stags managed another score early in the second quarter, then Alan Castillo put one in the back of the net for Cal Lutheran. CMS scored the final two goals of the period in a strong stretch of defense from both sides, sending the match into halftime with the Stags leading 10-4.

Cal Lutheran played CMS tightly in the third period, with another goal from Mastropoalo and two from Dylan Villanueva. The Stags were able to muster four goals in the period to slightly extend their lead to 14-7 heading into the final quarter.

Ceasar Nava dropped in a goal with three minutes to play in the match, Cal Lutheran's only score of the fourth period. CMS would go on to win 19-8.

Villanueva had a nice showing with two goals and two assists, and both of those marks led his team in today's contest. Gerdeman, Eade, Levi Cook, Merrick Giles, and Brody Swarm each added an assist. Castillo contributed two steals.

Jaeger Gonzales and Bo DuBois split time in the cage as Gonzales made 10 saves and DuBois made nine. Gonzales added two steals.

Cal Lutheran will host Occidental on Wednesday at 4pm as it looks to rebound with a victory.