FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's water polo split its opening two games at the Titan Invitational on Friday, defeating Biola University 14-11, before falling to NCAA Division I opponent and tournament host Cal State Fullerton.
GAME ONE: CAL LUTHERAN 14, BIOLA 11
The Kingsmen came out firing against the Eagles, with
Levi Cook and
Paul Patterson each scoring twice to help Cal Lutheran take an early advantage. Biola chipped away in the second quarter, but the Kingsmen maintained a two-goal lead heading into halftime.
Cal Lutheran came out of the break with renewed energy, scoring five goals in the third quarter while holding the Eagles to two. The Kingsmen spread the offense around well, with four different players finding the back of the net in the period.
Both teams scored twice in the fourth, allowing Cal Lutheran's early advantage to hold as the Kingsmen secured their second win of the season.
Patterson led the offense with four goals and an assist, while
Max Gerdeman added two goals and two assists.
Dylan Bassler played the full 32 in goal and finished with seven saves.
GAME TWO: CAL STATE FULLERTON 18, CAL LUTHERAN 10
Cal Lutheran carried its momentum into the afternoon matchup against the host Titans, going toe-to-toe with the Division I program early. The Kingsmen jumped out to a 5-4 lead after the opening quarter, matching Fullerton's pace and taking an early advantage into the second.
The Titans responded with five goals in the second quarter while limiting Cal Lutheran to two, taking a 9-7 lead into halftime. Fullerton then extended its advantage with a seven-goal third period.
Cal Lutheran's defense locked down in the final quarter, holding the Titans to just two goals, but the Kingsmen were unable to overcome the deficit as Fullerton closed out the 18-10 victory.
Gerdeman and
Adam Scrivner led Cal Lutheran with three goals apiece. Cook added two goals and two assists, while Patterson finished with a goal, three assists and a steal.
