Men’s Water Polo Leans on Offensive in Win over Cypress

It was an offensive melee for the Riverside City College men's water polo team on Wednesday night as they faced off against the Cypress College Chargers on the road. It was a back and forth affair in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) showdown, but it was the Tigers who prevailed by the final score of 20-13.

A seven spot in the first quarter distanced the Tigers from the Chargers off the bat. It was even play through the following three quarter, but Cypress could not pull away. Riverside outscored the Chargers in each quarter aside from the second, but Cypress ever took an offensive edge.

"We definitely have been able to score," said Head Coach Jason Northcott. "Our scoring has been consistent at a high rate and everyone is contributing. We are finding different ways to score which is good."

Leading the offense was freshman Louis Grandi as he netted seven total scores. He scored at least once in each quarter with highlighted by two goals in the first and the fourth. Additionally, he facilitated three scores and pocketed six steals on the defensive end of the pool.

"He knows how to put the ball in the net," said Northcott. He came here and it was clear right away that he knows how to score. His instincts and intuition have developed his skills to help his team by scoring."

Not only has he been the leader on offense, but his defensive efforts are even more impressive. Grandi is second on the team with 19 steals. -

"His defense initiates the offense on the counter attack. He has ignited us on both ends of the pool. Not only is he leading us in stats, but leading by example."

Freshman Tommy Dempsey followed with four goals to push his scoring streak to eight-consecutive contests. In three of the Tiger's four wins, he has score three or more goals. He dished out one assist and swiped three steal in the process.

Freshman tandem Reese Starkey and Sebestian De La Pena-Kenley each netted three goals.

Freshman Seth Zarn earned the win in the cage with four saves. Freshman Pavle Ristic hopped between the pipes in the four quarter and earned four saves as well.

While Northcott is happy with the win, there is much to improve on. Defense is his focus.

"We are working a lot on shoring up on every type of defense. We will be implementing more defensive focuses in practice with tough conference competition coming up."

 Riverside (4-4, 2-0 OEC) will face off against Orange Coast College next Wednesday, September 29 on the road. Game time is set for 3 p.m.