Los Angeles - The Pomona-Pitzer Men's Water Polo team dropped a narrow 10-9 decision to defending SCIAC Champion Whittier and then fell 12-7 to Division I Loyola Marymount in two tightly-contested matches on Saturday.

The losses drop Pomona-Pitzer to 3-5 on the season. The Sagehens earlier fell to Whittier 16-9, but closed the game in the rematch, while Loyola Marymount earned a win in another rematch after Pomona-Pitzer won the first meeting on opening day 10-9. 

In the day's first match, sophomore goalie Daniel Diemer had 15 saves to keep Pomona-Pitzer in striking distance throughout. A goal from junior Timmy Hardman pulled the Sagehens within 10-8 with 2:28 left after Whittier had led 9-4 in the third quarter. Senior Phillip Clayman added a goal in the final minute to close the gap to 10-9, but the Sagehens were unable to come all the way back.

Clayman, sophomore Mark Hallman and junior Nic Lanker each had two goals for Pomona-Pitzer, while senior Neil Forsythe, freshman Adam Ward and Hardman each had one. 

In the nightcap, the Sagehens were within 6-5 at the start of the third quarter on a Clayman goal, but Loyola Marymount used a 5-0 run to seize control. Ward and junior James Baker each had two goals for Pomona-Pitzer, while Hardman and junior Tommy Turner joined Clayman with a goal apiece and Diemer had six saves. 

Pomona-Pitzer will next be in action for its home opener against Johns Hopkins on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. before hosting the Gary Troyer Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3.