Grandi Nets Game-Winner in Upset Over No. 9 Cerritos, Tigers Take Three in Host Tournament

The Riverside City College men's water polo team were victims a 12-game losing streak after experiencing winless October entering into their host tournament on Friday morning. The Tigers had a tough slate of competition ahead featuring Palomar, No. 4 Long Beach, Grossmont and No. 9 Cerritos. They ended the tournament on a 3-1 note highlighted by a 12-11 win against No. Cerritos in the final seconds.

Sophomore captain Louis Grandi found himself with possession of the ball in the final 10 seconds of the game after the Cerritos' goalkeeper turned the ball over on their final possession. He was called with two hands on the ball across the halfway point to give Riverside a free shot at the net.

Grandi turned on the burners, corralled the ball and drove far side and netted his fourth goal of the game which acted as the game winner with one second remaining. A last second heavy by the Falcon's goalkeeper was knocked away by sophomore goalkeeper Seth Zarn to secure the win.

It was the first win for the Tigers against a ranked team and the third win in the last four contests.

Grandi had a phenomenal tournament by scoring 14 goals. He scored three or more goals in each game and is currently riding a 21-game scoring streak. Furthermore, he pocketed 11 steals, drew five ejections and two field blocks.

Sophomore Reese Starkey netted three goals and assisted on two other scores while recording a team-high four steals. Starkey had five goals throughout the tournament and snapped a four-game scoreless streak. Freshman Kyle Lambeth earned the start and netted two goals and pocketed one steal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Seth Zarn (4-7) earned the start in three of the games between the pipes and pushed his win total to four. He had six saves in the win over Cerritos.

Sophomore Colin Tormey had a strong game by scoring three games; two in the final win of the tournament.