ORANGE, Calif. – A big third quarter helped push the Chapman University men's water polo team to a 13-11 victory over the visiting Redlands Bulldogs earlier this afternoon. Sophomore Graham Asalone helped lead the Panthers, contributing to eight goals with five goals scored and three assists.
Asalone opened up the scoring in the first quarter with a goal nearly three minutes in. The Bulldogs answered with back-to-back goals over the next three minutes to take their first lead of the match. Sophomore Andy Anguiano responded with a goal with just 46 seconds left to play in the quarter, but a late push from Redlands helped the Bulldogs put two more away to give them a 4-2 lead heading into the second quarter.
Asalone, sophomore Brad Wilson and freshman Andy Colmignoli put three more goals on the scoreboard in the second quarter along with three goals from Redlands to make it 7-5 in favor of the Bulldogs heading into the second half.
The third quarter was all Panther action. Chapman put up five goals and allowed Redlands to score just one to re-take the lead with just eight minutes left to play in the match. Wilson scored back-to-back goals to start off the quarter, followed by a goal just over 30 seconds later from sophomore Evan Belli. Bulldogs junior Chris Frejlach netted a 5-meter penalty shot with just over three minutes left to pay, but Anguiano and Colmignoli responded with a couple of goals to put Chapman up 10-8 after three quarters.
Bulldogs senior Spencer Allen cut the deficit to just one goal with 7:35 left on the clock. Anguiano and Asalone responded with two goals just over a minute apart to keep Chapman's lead. Another Redlands goal cut the score to 12-10, but Asalone's fifth and final goal with 32 seconds left on the clock sealed the victory for the Panthers.
Asalone also tallied three earned ejections and two steals in the effort. Anguiano put up three goals along with four earned ejections and two steals. Freshman Tanner Frost made his presence known, tallying three assists and one steal. Senior goalkeeper Wes Hertel was solid in goal, recording nine saves to keep the Panthers in the match.
Chapman heads on the road for the next three weeks but returns to Allred Olympic Pool on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. to host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant
Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports
Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports
#Chaptown
