REDLANDS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's water polo (0-3, 0-0 SCIAC) dropped its first match on day two of the Inland Empire Tourney, facing off against a talented UC Irvine squad. The Anteaters, a highly ranked Division-I opponent, outlasted the Kingsmen 18-8 after a strong second half.

Cal Lutheran got off to an early 3-2 lead behind two goals from Levi Cook and one from Paul Patterson. UC Irvine (5-0, 0-0 Big West) responded with three unanswered goals to end the first period with a 5-3 advantage.

The Kingsmen would not go away, with both defenses holding strong for a scoreless first six minutes of the second period. Merrick Giles eventually broke the stalemate, and Cook netted his third goal of the game to tie it at five apiece. The Anteaters knocked one in with just over a minute left in the half, but Patterson quickly countered with another goal 11 seconds later to knot it back up.

UC Irvine connected on one final goal with just 28 seconds left in the half, and they entered the break with a 7-6 lead.

The Anteaters broke the match open in the second half, outscoring the Kingsmen 11-2 in the final two periods. Dylan Villanueva and Nic Mastropoalo managed Cal Lutheran's two goals.

Jack Bradbury led Cal Lutheran with two assists, and Bo DuBois had a solid game guarding the cage as he collected nine saves.

The Kingsmen will take on Biola later today in their final match of the Inland Empire Tourney.