Tigers Reach Nyquist Tourn. Championship Game, But Lose, 9-8, to Host West Valley; RCC Visits Santa Ana Wednesday

SARATOGA -- Reaching the championship game of the 52nd Annual Nyquist Tournament, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers men's water polo squad fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 9-8 loss to tournament host West Valley College (WVC) Saturday (Sept. 10).

Riverside City (5-1 overall) began Saturday's action with a 9-7 win over the Cuesta College Cougars in a semifinal game to advance to the championship game.

Against Cuesta, RCC led, 3-1, at the end of the first quarter, 5-2 at halftime, and 7-6 at the end of three quarters.

RCC sophomore driver Jacob Weisenberg (Tustin / Foothill HS '14) led the Tigers with three goals, one assist and three steals. Sophomore driver Lazar Raca (Belgrade, SERBIA / Sports School '15) added two goals and two steals. Sophomore center Jonah Saenz (Riverside / Poly HS '15) chipped in with two goals.

Freshman goalie Kristopher McVeigh (Riverside / Poly HS '16) started and went the distance. He had eight saves and three steals.

Against the host WVC Vikings, the Tigers trailed, 4-3, at the end of the first quarter and at halftime. WVC led, 7-5, at the end of the third quarter, before RCC outscored WVC, 3-2, to narrowly lose, 9-8.

Saenz led RCC with four goals and Raca had three goals, one assist and four steals against West Valley. RCC sophomore goalie Dustin Shaw (Riverside / M.L. King HS '15) went the distance and recorded three saves and added one steal.

In its next action, Riverside will lift the lid on Orange Empire Conference (OEC) action on Wednesday, Sept. 14, when it visits the Santa Ana College (SAC) Dons in a 4 p.m. start.

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