REDLANDS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's water polo split a pair of games Saturday on the second day of the Inland Empire Classic, earning its first win of the season with a 14-11 victory over Fresno Pacific before falling to Concordia University Irvine, 19-10, in the afternoon.
GAME ONE: CAL LUTHERAN 14, FRESNO PACIFIC 11
The Kingsmen picked up their first victory of the year against FPU, using a nine-goal first half to build an early advantage.
Paul Patterson continued his strong start to the season, scoring a game-high six goals on 11 shots.
Merrick Giles added five goals and four assists, while
Levi Cook contributed a goal and two assists.
Max Gerdeman added two assists and three steals.
Cal Lutheran jumped out to a 3-1 lead after the opening quarter before exploding for six goals in the second to take a four-goal advantage into halftime. The Sunbirds shut out the Kingsmen and trimmed the deficit to 9-8 in the third quarter, but Cal Lu responded with five fourth-period goals to secure the win.
Dylan Bassler made a career-best 12 saves in the cage, while Cal Lutheran finished with 30 shots.
GAME TWO: CONCORDIA 19, CAL LUTHERAN 10
In the afternoon matchup, Concordia University Irvine earned a 19-10 victory over the Kingsmen.
Patterson again led Cal Lutheran offensively, scoring four goals, while Giles added three. Cook contributed a goal and two assists, and
Luke Chang scored once.
The Golden Eagles took a 5-2 lead after the opening quarter before Cal Lutheran responded with five goals in the second. Concordia held a 9-7 advantage at halftime and pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Kingsmen 7-0.
Cal Lutheran added three goals in the fourth quarter, with Patterson scoring twice and Chang finding the back of the net.
UP NEXT
Cal Lutheran will have a quick turnaround, returning to action tomorrow, September 6, against UC Santa Barbara at 3 p.m. on the road.
