Tigers Earn Revenge in Victory over San Joaquin Delta, Rout American River at Cuesta Tournament

Tigers Earn Revenge in Victory over San Joaquin Delta, Rout American River at Cuesta Tournament

After taking on a tough pair of Division III competitors in Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges last week, the Riverside City College men's water polo team hopped back in the pool on Friday and competed in the Cuesta College Tournament in San Luis Obispo, CA. The Tigers came out with a pair of victories, first coming with a sizable win over American River by the final score of 14-5. They continued on by edging San Joaquin Delta, 12-11, in thrilling fashion.

After marginally falling to San Joaquin Delta during Riverside's season opener, the Tigers looked for revenge on the road.

Despite leaping out to an early one-score advantage due in part to a first quarter goal by freshman driver Bo Loftin (Mira Loma, CA), the Tigers allowed a set of netters to put them in a 2-1 hole after the opening frame.

Sophomore driver Tyler Strabel (Lake Elsinore, CA) fired home a score to kick off the second frame and tie the contest early. After San Joaquin Delta grabbed a two-score lead, the Tigers continued to chip away at the deficit. Two scores by Loftin and a score off the hand of freshman driver Billy Maze (Mira Loma, CA) led to a six-all tie entering into halftime.

Riverside went on to outscore San Joaquin Delta, 3-2, in the third quarter. Sophomore driver Hunter Starkey (San Bernardino, CA) fired home his first netter of the game, while freshman driver Alexis Gutierrez (Mira Loma, CA) and Strabel scored in the frame as well.

Both squads traded three goals in the final frame with Strabel adding two more to his total goal mark, thus leading to an exciting 12-11 triumph.

Strabel had a season-high four goals while pocketing two steals in the process. Loftin followed with three netters while adding three steals and two drawn ejections.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kristopher McVeigh (Riverside, CA) earned his sixth victory between the pipes after hauling in nine saves.

The Tigers (6-3) will round out September play on Wednesday, September 27th by facing off against conference opponent Saddleback at 3 p.m.