CLAREMONT, Calif. — The McKendree University men’s water polo team began competition in the Gary Troyer Invitational by falling to Concordia University, 20-11, and Division III No. 10-ranked Occidental College, 14-11, at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College’s Axelrood Pool.
The Bearcats fell behind early in the loss to Concordia as the Eagles opened the game with a three goal run. Junior Pedro Osorio (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) scored to end the opposing run. Concordia answered right back to push the lead back to three, but sophomore Matthew Haygood (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) countered. The Eagles rattled off three consecutive goals before senior Joseph Mahan (Corinth, Texas/John .H Guyer) netted his first just before the quarter was over as Concordia held a 7-3 lead.
Concordia held the Bearcats to just one goal in the second quarter as freshman Tristen Clue (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) found the back of the cage for McKendree. The Eagles continued to dominate offensively, adding in another seven goals to lead 14-4 by halftime.
The Bearcats found their offensive rhythm in the third quarter to explode for six goals. Junior Jesus Osorio (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) opened the door with a goal before his brother Pedro Osorio (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) went on to score three goals in the frame. Junior Adrian Maher (Keller, Texas/Keller) and Haygood each scored a goal in the quarter. McKendree’s defense found a way to hold Concordia to two goals but remained behind 16-10.
P. Osorio mustered the lone goal for McKendree in the fourth quarter, while Concordia added four more goals in rolling to the win.
Taking on Occidental in McKendree’s final game of the day, the Tigers held the Bearcats scoreless through the first quarter to grab a 4-0 lead. Sophomores Tony Sunagawa (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) and Josh Carlson (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way West) managed two goals for the Bearcats in the first half as McKendree trailed 8-2 at intermission.
The Bearcats rallied back, however, to find the back of the cage three times in the third quarter as Haygood, Clue and Carlson pumped in points. However, the Tigers continued their pace with another four goals in the quarter for a 12-5 lead heading into the final eight minutes of regulation.
McKendree caught fire in the waning moments of the game by slicing in six goals. Junior Andrew Serrano (Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King) kicked off the run 20 seconds into the quarter. Mahan scored two goals in the quarter, while P. Osorio, Carlson and senior Izaya Owotor (Portland, Ore./David Douglas) netted one goal. The comeback came up short, however, as Occidental notched two goals over the final quarter to escape with the victory.
Release courtesy McKendree University Athletics Communications
