Men's Water Polo Drops Three Against Division I Foes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The Austin College men's water polo team traveled to the West Coast this weekend to take on a trio of NCAA Division I opponents at an event hosted by Cap Baptist, falling 19-6 to Cal State Fullerton in the opener and 17-6 against Concordia Irvine, before wrapping up the weekend with an 18-3 deffeat at the hands of the host school. The 'Roos are now 2-5 overall on the year.

The weekend opener saw Fullerton take a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, and the margin grew to 12-0 at halftime. Austin College trailed 14-0 in the third before Preston Fiala got the 'Roos on the scoreboard with 3:41 left in the frame. After Fullerton took a 15-1 lead into the fourth quarter, Austin College came alive on offense, finding the back of the cage five times in the period. 

Jack Stack got the first tally of the quarter, and Greyson Gaworecki followed to make it 16-3. Sebastian Scheier got into the scoring action, and Owen Altermatt's goal made it a 17-5 game with 2:14 left to play. Scheier scored for the second time or the final goal of the game, making it 19-6 with a buzzer-beater.

Against Concordia, the 'Roos once again found themselves trailing 7-0 after the opening quarter, Altermatt scored twice in a three-goal second quarter to help the 'Roos make it a 10-3 game at halftime. Concordia put the game away in the third, outscoring the 'Roos 4-1 in the frame to make it a 14-4 margin, and Carlos Camarena and Gabriel Daniels each scored in the fourth, making it a 17-6 final. 

Along with two goals from Altermatt and tallies from Camarena and Daniels, Austin College also got goals from Fiala and Gaworecki in the defeat. Jordan Pomier made eight blocks in goal for Austin College.

Austin College wrapped up the weekend trip against Cal Baptist, trailing 7-1 after the first quarter to the host school and 14-1 at halftime. Both teams scored once in the third, with CBU outscoring the 'Roos 3-1 in the final frame to make it an 18-3 final. 

The 'Roos got goals from Camarena, Gaworecki, and Aidan Wade in the loss, while Pomier had five blocks. Stack and Altermatt led the 'Roos with two steals each, with Stack also adding an assist.