Water Polo Tops PSU-Behrend, Falls to USC

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Austin College men's water polo team cruised to a 19-7 victory over Penn State Behrend in the opening round of the MPSF Tournament on Friday, before falling 21-5 to Division I opponent USC in the nightcap.

Against Behrend, the 'Roos got a big performance out of Max Wade, who found the net four times in the game to lead the way. The 'Roos jumped out to a 5-3 lead after the first quarter and would head into halftime leading 11-5, and a 4-0 third quarter gave Austin College a 15-5 cushion heading into the fourth. In the fourth, Austin College extended its lead to 12 to wrap up the game with a 19-7 final score. 

In addition to Wade's big offensive performance, Cade Griffith, Andrew Pope, and Robert Griffin each scored three goals, while Pope added three steals in the victory.

Later in the day the 'Roos took on the USC Trojans, with Griffin scoring a pair of goals in the loss to pace Austin College offensively. The 'Roos fell behind 8-0 after the first quarter and were unable to make a dent in the Trojan lead, picking up a pair of goals in the second quarter but still trailing 14-2 at halftime. USC took a 17-3 lead into the fourth, where Austin College picked up its final two tallies to make it a 21-5 final.

Along with Griffin, Alex Rodriguez also scored twice for Austin College and Wade found the net once. Zachary Griffith and Alan Rosenberg combined to make 10 blocks in both of Friday's games. 

Austin College wraps up its season on Sunday morning when they take on Penn State Behrend one more time in the 5th/6th place game.