Claremont, Calif. - The Pomona-Pitzer Men's Water Polo team trailed 10-6 going into the fourth quarter and had a good chance to tie in the closing minutes, but ended up falling to defending SCIAC Champion Whittier 11-9 on Wednesday evening at Haldeman Pool.

With the loss, the Sagehens slip to 5-14 overall and 1-2 in the SCIAC, while Whittier improves to 14-12 overall and 3-0 in the SCIAC. 

Trailing 10-6 going into the final stanza, junior Neil Forsythe scored at the 7:08 mark to cut the lead to 10-7, and then sophomore Timmy Hardman (pictured) scored his second goal of the match to bring the Sagehens within two. A goal from sophomore James Baker, his second of the evening as well, on a 6-on-5 made the score 10-9 with 2:56 left to play.

After an exchange of stops, the Sagehens had a great chance to tie, but Whittier goalie Ryan Brunansky lunged to his left for a big save on a shot attempt from Forsythe inside of five meters. Whittier was able to get to the loose ball and scored at the other end on a shot from Marko Zuric to make the score 11-9.

Senior Stephen Vint added two goals for the Sagehens, while senior Travis Larsen and sophomore Tommy Turner had first-half goals as well. Whittier had a balanced offense with Massimiliano Mirarchi and Goran Mataic each scoring twice and Zuric, Wedge Molthen, Nicolas Beavers, Filip Delic, Austin Ringheim, Roman Novak and Justin Pratt each tallying one. 

Pomona-Pitzer will be back in action on Saturday when it hosts Redlands at 11 a.m. That match will also serve as Senior Day as Vint, Larsen, Kyle Van der Linde and Austin Strong will be honored pregame.