Men’s Water Polo Drops Close Game in Conference Action
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Riverside (3-8-1, 0-2) | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
|
Saddleback (6-1, 2-0) | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
The Riverside City College men's water polo team has endured a tough September schedule and it continued to get even more challenging as they faced off against the No. 7 Saddleback College Bobcats on the road. It was a back and forth affair the majority of the contest, but Saddleback proved to be too much leading to a 12-10 loss.
The Tigers owned an early lead after converting the opening score of the game from sophomore Relja Mitic, backed by a score from sophomore Louis Grandi. Mitic score again four minutes later, but three-consecutive goals from the Bobcats left the Tigers trailing 5-4 after the opening quarter.
Mitic tied the game up with his third score of the contest on the opening possession of the second quarter, but only two goals from the Tigers in the second frame handed the Bobcats a three-score lead at 9-6.
The Tigers were playing catchup throughout the remainder of the contest and they were unable to shave the deficit after scoring just one goal in the fourth, resulting in a loss.
Grandi paced the Tigers in scoring with six goals, while Mitic followed with four netters. Mitic added four steals to lead the squad and Grandi totaled three. They were the lone point getters for the Tigers.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jesus Lopez was tabbed with the loss despite accumulating 15 saves.