Claremont, Calif. – The Pomona-Pitzer Men's Water Polo team used a 9-0 run to defeat Whittier 13-4 on Saturday in a SCIAC match-up at Haldeman Pool.
The Sagehens later hosted the top-ranked team in the nation in UCLA, and hung tough for a while before falling 14-4. With the split, Pomona-Pitzer moves to 6-15 on the season.
In the Whittier match, Pomona-Pitzer led 2-1 in the first quarter, but then dominated, rattling off a 9-0 run to lead 11-1 at the end of the third quarter. Junior Mark Hudnall (Los Altos, Calif.) led the way with three goals, while Jason Cox (Arnold, Md.), Jaron Moler (Carmichael, Calif.) and Ryan Higgins (Orinda, Calif.) added two apiece.
Goalkeeper Tyler Hill (Lafayette, Calif.) came on in relief in the fourth quarter and had a save on a five-meter (penalty) shot, which is pictured above.
Hill also had another save on a penalty shot in the first half against UCLA, although the Bruins took a 5-1 lead into the break. A goal from freshman Travis Larsen (Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.) got the Sagehens to within 2-1 early in the second quarter, but UCLA scored the final three of the second quarter and the first four of the third to stretch the lead to 9-1.
Cox broke the run with a goal for the Sagehens and Cody Moore (San Dimas, Calif.) scored twice to get Pomona-Pitzer within 11-4 in the fourth quarter, before the Bruins scored the final three goals.
Josh Saumels led UCLA with a game-high three goals. Hill and freshman Austin Strong (Kuia, Hawaii) each had four saves for the Sagehens.
Pomona-Pitzer will next be in action when it hosts two home matches on Wednesday, meeting La Verne in a SCIAC match at 4 p.m. before facing Concordia (Calif.) at 7 p.m.
