Los Angeles, Calif. - The Pomona-Pitzer Men's Water Polo team opened the 2012 campaign against No. 1 USC and No. 2 UCLA, dropping both contests at the UCLA Invitational.

Pomona-Pitzer opened the day against No. 2 UCLA, falling 16-5 in a match that began at 8 a.m. The Sagehens then took on the top-ranked Trojans at 1 p.m. and fell 20-3.

Junior attacker Ryan Higgins (pictured) had two of the three goals for the Sagehens against top-ranked USC, as Pomona-Pitzer got within 8-3 in the second quarter. However, the Trojans ended the half with three straight goals, and then outscored the Sagehens 9-0 after intermission.

Phillip Clayman added his first collegiate goal against the No. 1 team in the nation, which made the score 8-3 in the second quarter. Junior goalie Tyler Hill had 11 saves in net.  

The first match saw UCLA take an 11-1 lead at the break, before Pomona-Pitzer settled in and had a more effective second half, only being outscored 5-4 after intermission.

Senior defender Cody Moore had two goals for the Sagehens against UCLA, while senior attacker Mark Hudnall and Jarrod Gaut each added one. Freshman Neil Forsythe also added his first collegiate goal against the Bruins. Hill had six saves in the second half, while allowing five goals.  

Pomona-Pitzer will be back in action next weekend at the Inland Empire Tournament, hosted by La Verne.