LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2008) – The men's water polo team stretched their win streak to four games with a dominant 14-3 victory over the University of La Verne today in the final first round game of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action backed by another hat trick performance form senior Andrew Valdes.

Occidental was in an early 1-0 deficit, but took a 2-1 lead with 38 seconds to play in the first period thanks to the first of three goals by Valdes, the nation's third leading scorer. The Tigers added four goals in the second quarter while the Leopards managed to find the back of the net two more times, leaving the score at 6-3 mid-way through the game.

A combination of the offense then exploding and the defense shutting down ULV, Oxy scored eight uncontested goals, cruising to their fifth SCIAC win of the season.

Ten different players found the back of the net with Greg Benz and Cameron Brahmst each scoring twice.

Freshman Richard Dybass was effective on both sides of the ball, scoring a goal and assisting on a goal while recording the only Oxy field block of the game and stealing one loose ball.

Jake Santellihad a game high three steals while Valdes, Josh Kantor and Tai McDermott each added a pair. Max Kelly made 13 saves in the game for the Tigers.

For the first time in head coach Larry Zubrin's tenure, the Tigers hold a 5-2 SCIAC record and a third place seed entering the SCIAC Championships, which will take place Friday-Sunday at Cal Lutheran.

The Tigers are now 13-13 overall Despite being tied with  Pomona-Pitzer in the second spot, PP wins the head-to-head, having defeated Oxy 5-3 in the first SCIAC game of the season. Redlands is currently the top seeded team entering the championships.