Courtesy: Redlands Athletics
REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Men’s Water Polo team picked up their second win of 2021 Thursday as they beat Ottawa University (AZ) 14-10 to wrap up their doubleheader at the Thompson Aquatic Center.
The Maroon and Grey opened the day up with an afternoon match-up with Division I Fordham University before ending the day with a grudge match against Ottawa.
Game 1 (Fordham – L, 12-6)
After surrendering four goals in the opening quarter the Bulldogs bounced back with Austin Galanski (Bakersfield, CA) finding the back of the net twice across the middle two frames. This gave UR some momentum as they would outscore the Rams 4-1 across the final eight minutes getting scores from Tanner Whitson (St. Louis, MO), Parker Murai (Carlsbad, CA), Jack Ryan (Ventura, CA), and Thomas Byrne (Superior, CO) all coming within the final 3:22.
Redlands took 23 shots for the game, shooting .261. They were 3-for-9 on power plays and saw senior Jason Gates (San Jose, CA) post a career high 17 saves and a steal between the posts, while playing all 32:00 minutes.
Game 2 (Ottawa – W, 14-10)
The last time these two teams met was during the Inland Empire Classic where the Bulldogs were on the opposite side of an 11-10 loss. This time around though they avenged that defeat by beating the Spirit 14-10.
Senior Tor Cole (Malibu, CA) and first year Galanski put UR on top three minutes into the opening quarter. Ottawa was able to rally with three unanswered to go in front 4-2, but with :27 seconds left Michael Maher (Fremont, CA) found the back of the net getting fed by Cole that made it a one score game.
It was a back and forth second quarter with each team finding the back of the net three times. The Spirit were able to strike first with two quick connections, but saw that lead disappear with Andrew Sorensen (Long Beach, CA), Michael Driscoll (Escondido, CA) and Drake Moody (Camarillo, CA) all finishing that helped make it a one score game at the half. Following some adjustments at intermission from head coach Ryan Hall the Bulldogs came out firing on all cylinders outscoring the Spirit 5-2. Max Wagener led the run with two of the first three goals out of the break and Spencer Clinton (Cypress, CA), Cole and Ethan Beaty (Denver, CO) contributed that put UR on top 11-9.
The advantage moved to four following back to back tallies from Moody to start the fourth and Cole would put the finishing touches on an impressive performance by beating the keeper at the 1:19 mark that sealed the victory.
Redlands finished with 31 shots, shooting .452, while going 4-for-13 on power plays. Gates again played all 32:00 minutes and had double digit saves with 11 to go with another steal.
Redlands returns to the pool this Saturday, October 2 for the Gary Troyer Tournament. They will wrap up their non-conference schedule against Johns Hopkins University (10:15am) and Long Beach State (2:00pm). Both games will take place at Haldeman Pool on the campus of Pomona-Pitzer.