CLAREMONT, CA. – The Pomona-Pitzer Men's Water Polo Team maintained their undefeated run in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, taking down University of Redlands and Caltech in a Wednesday night doubleheader at Haldeman Pool. The Sagehens battled to a close 9-7 victory over the Bulldogs in the first match and followed up with a dominating 19-7 win against the Beavers.
Season Impact: The Sagehens improve to a 12-4 record overall and are now 6-0 in the SCIAC.
Pomona-Pitzer def. Redlands 9-7
The Bulldogs put up a tough fight against the Sagehens, showing their defensive tenacity and frustrating the Sagehens' offense. However, the home side scored just enough to squeeze out a hard-earned victory. Sam Gorcey-Biblowitz and Adam Gross co-led with a pair of goals each while Sam Sasaki had a goal, an assist, and three steals each.
The Sagehens didn't score until 3:15 remaining in the opening period when Gorcey-Biblowitz fired a laser outside 5-meters past the diving goalie. Adam Gross followed a minute later to double the lead, but Spencer Allen of the Bulldogs managed to get a shot in with 37 seconds left to cut the lead in half.
Redlands managed to tie the game at 6:22 left in the half, but Zach Senator promptly responded 22 seconds later to retake the lead. However, Redlands responded again when Jasen Swan tied the game with 5:14 remaining and with 57 seconds left, Billy Clifford gave the Bulldogs the lead. Later, with 25 seconds left in the half, Joseph Schafer fired one in traffic to tie the game.
The Sagehens' offense woke up in the second half as Gorcey-Biblowitz sped towards the net from the right side and scored with a quick shot to take the lead. Later on a power play, Ben Sasaki got open within four meters and laced one past the keeper's hands to make it 6-4. Gross extended the lead 7-4 after converting a 5-meter penalty show. They led 7-5 heading into the final period.
The Sasaki twins opened up scoring in the final period when Ben found Sam in the center of the box and Sam quickly released a shot to make it 8-5. Sam later found Niskey with 4:52 remaining to make it 9-5. The Bulldogs managed to score two down the stretch, but the Sagehens' defense clamped it down to hold on for the victory.
Pomona-Pitzer def. Caltech 19-7
The Sagehens put on a scoring clinic against the Caltech Beavers in the second game of the night, the finding the net through counterattacks, long passes, and quick passes. Maxwell Bethel and Timothy Mangan co-led the Sagehens with four goals each while Ben Sasaki had three goals and two assists in the victory.
Caltech scored the opening goal just 18 seconds into the match, but the Sagehens responded in a big way as they tacked on six straight goals to lead 6-1. Pomona-Pitzer led 6-2 to close the first period.
The home side shutout Caltech in the second period, not allowing any goals while tacking on six more goals. Kellan Grant delivered three long ball assists from the net during the rally, including one that sailed over Caltech's head and to the racing Timothy Mangan to take a 9-2 lead. During their scoring run, the Sagehens managed to net three in the final minute, with two coming from Ben Sasaki. They led 12-2 at the half.
Caltech scoring the opening goal of the second half, but the Sagehens continued to answer back. A four-goal run in the fourth period sealed the match as the Sagehens won 19-7.
Up Next: The Sagehens will head to Palo Alto, California to compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Invite hosted by Stanford University on Friday, October 12.
