NEW LONDON, Conn — The Connecticut College men’s water polo split two matches on the final day of the Camel Round-Up, defeating Wheaton College, 19-15, before falling to Saddleback College 19-10, in an exhibition match. With the win over Wheaton, the Camels improved to 1-2 on the season.
In game one, ten Camels found the back of the net, as the Camels rallied to defeat the Lyons of Wheaton.
The squads traded goals in the opening quarter, but the Lyons led 4-3 after eight minutes, with Camels’ goals coming from Grant Archer (Miami, Fla.), Matthew Miaschoss (Malibu, Calif.) and Graham Stuart (Carlisle, Mass.). Connecticut took control in the second quarter, outscoring Wheaton 6-4, to hold a 9-8 scoreboard edge entering halftime. Jeffrey Harrington (San Diego, Calif.), Jonathan Rojas (Houston, Texas), Ethan Hipsky (Glastonbury, Conn.), Cully MacPherson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Stuart combined for the six goals with Harrington tallying two.
The third quarter was also a shootout as the Camels outscored the Lyons by a 7-5 count to extend Connecticut’s lead to 16-13 heading into the fourth quarter. Harrington, Maischoss, Stuart, MacPherson and Jesse Ellis (Fresno, Calif) each converted on shots in the frame, with Maischoss picking up two goals.
Over the final eight minutes, Liam Merrill (Glastonbury, Conn.), Siaki Nelson (Montgomery, Texas) and MacPherson all recorded a goal, as the Camels held on for a four-score win.
Facing Saddleback, the visitors exploited a strong first quarter by outscoring Connecticut 8-2 to build an early margin on the way to a nine-goal victory.
The Camels fell behind 6-0 before Cormac Stevens (Philadelphia, Pa.) put Connecticut on the scoreboard with just over two minutes to play in the first quarter. With time winding down, Archer found the back of the net, to cut the Bobcats lead to 8-2. The second quarter was even, as both sides recorded three goals, with all three Camels’ markers coming from Nelson as Saddleback led 11-5 at the break.
In the second half, the Bobcats outscored the Camels, 4-3, in the third quarter, as Ellis recorded two more goals for Connecticut, while Carson Neidert (West Palm Beach, Fla.) added the third tally.
Saddleback outscored Connecticut, 4-2, in the fourth quarter, as Maischoss and Stevens dented the twine for the Camels.
Information courtesy Connecticut College Athletics Communications
