ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's water polo team fell to the visiting Whittier College Poets 22-9 in its final home match of the season.

Sophomore Andy Anguiano struck first, finding the back of the net less than a minute into the first quarter. The Poets answered with two goals within less than 30 seconds of each other but Anguiano fired again to tie the match at 2-2. From there, Whittier went on a five-goal tear to finish the quarter up 7-2.

The Poets out-scored Chapman 4-1 in the second quarter to take a dominant 11-3 lead heading into halftime.

Whittier scored four consecutive goals to start the second half, but the Panthers fired back immediately, scoring back-to-back-to-back goals to end the third quarter. Freshman Ryan Nielsen struck twice in a row, followed by senior Peter Dales with a goal in the final 19 seconds of the quarter.

The Poets finished the match strong, scoring seven consecutive goals in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. Junior Garrett Wilson, Dales and sophomore Philip MacLean finished off the match by each scoring a goal in the final minute and a half.

Senior Wes Hertel tallied four saves and two steals in just under three quarters of play. He was replaced by freshman Owen McNicholas, who let in seven goals in just over eight minutes played. Freshman Max Schoening and sophomore Evan Belli led the Panthers with two steals each.

Chapman heads to Redlands on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. to fight for a spot in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament. With a win, the Panthers would secure the No. 4 seed in the tournament.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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