'Roos Top Connecticut College to Highlight Bruno Invite Day One

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Austin College men's water polo team capped off day one of the Bruno Invite with a 15-4 win over Connecticut College on Saturday, after dropping their first two games to Division II Gannon University and Division I Brown University.

The 'Roos opened the day with a 17-12 loss to Gannon, after battling to a 5-5 game after the first quarter and an 8-8 score at halftime. Gannon outscored the 'Roos 4-2 in the third, however, and used a 5-2 fourth quarter advantage to make it a five goal final margin. Max Wade scored three of his game-high five goals in the opening quarter, and Cade Griffith added three goals for Austin College in defeat.

Austin College nearly pulled off the upset over Division I opponent Brown in the next game of the day, falling behind 4-2 after the opening quarter but playing evenly the rest of the way on their way to a 15-13 defeat. The 'Roos pulled even at 10-10 with two minutes left in the third quarter before Brown scored three straight to make it 13-10 with six minutes left in the fourth, and Austin College was unable to recover down the stretch. Robert Griffin scored three goals to pace the 'Roos, and Dylan McArthur and Griffith each tallied twice.

The 'Roos wrapped up the day with a big win over Division III rival Connecticut College, falling behind 4-1 midway through the second quarter before scoring the final 14 goals of the game to make it a 15-4 final. Austin College was dominant in the second half, and in particular the fourth quarter, outscoring Connecticut College 10-0 in the final two frames including 9-0 in the fourth. 

Tobias Ward scored three times to lead the 'Roos in the win, with McArthur, Griffin, Evan Cueva, and Nico Masso each finding the net twice. Colby Kint and Andrew Galt each tallied, as did Wade and Will Koelzer.