ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's water polo team faced a tough test at the Inland Empire Tournament on Saturday, earning a split with a win over Occidental and a loss to nationally-ranked Division I powerhouse Long Beach State. The Panthers moved their record to 2-1 preceding their first home contest, Wednesday vs. UC Irvine.
Game 1: Chapman 15, Occidental 10
The Panthers jumped out to an early lead against the Tigers as four different Panthers scored in the first nine minutes to open up a 4-0 lead. The Tigers responded in the second quarter with three unanswered goals, including two from Samuel Akiyama that shortened Chapman's advantage to 4-3 at the half.
Just as they did in the first half, the Panthers came out firing in the second half, scoring three straight goals to take a 7-3 lead. Senior utility Brett Carter led the third quarter charge, scoring two of his three goals in a 31 second span as Chapman completed a 7-3 run, ending the quarter with an 11-6 lead that held up in the fourth.
Chapman featured two goal keepers in the contest as freshman Ian Decker and junior Mike Fratto made five saves each in the Panther victory.
Box score: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/mwaterpolo/2013-14/files/CU-OXY.pdf
Game 2: No. 6 Long Beach State 12, Chapman 5
The Panthers played tough against the No. 6 ranked team in the nation, but failed to muster up enough offense to overtake the 49ers as they fell, 12-5 in the afternoon match. Long Beach jumped out to an early lead on consecutive goals from Patrick Good, who opened the scoring action that led to a 7-2 first half advantage.
Chapman buckled down on defense in the second half, with sophomore goal keeper Stephen Neil making seven of his 11 saves to limit the 49ers to just five goals. Unfortunately for the Panthers, a pair of goals from Brett Carter and a late fourth quarter goal from Willis Allen were not enough to overcome the deficit and avoid the first loss of the season.
Box score: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/mwaterpolo/2013-14/files/CSULB-CU.pdf
by Ryan Cavinder
Sports Information Assistant
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