LA VERNE, Calif. (Sept. 12, 2010) –
Opening weekend was a tough one for the young Tigers' squad who
returned to Occidental College winless despite having played some
competitive games against tough opponents. In addition to playing
three Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
teams, they were also matched up against a pair of Division I
programs in UC Davis and Pepperdine University.
The weekend began at the University of Redlands for day one of
the 2010 Inland Empire Tournament where Oxy kicked off the season
against SCIAC foe Whittier College. Richard Dybas
got the scoring started, giving the Tigers an early 1-0 lead, but a
trio of Poets' goals sparked a WC team that took a 7-2 lead into
the intermission. Oxy got a pair of goals from Tai
McDermott, who also led the Tigers with five steals.
Dybas added an assist and two drawn ejections in the 11-5 loss. In
front of the cage, Kyle
Reuther blocked 16 shots fired off by the Poets.
In the middle game of a busy opening day, Oxy fell to host
Redlands, 20-6, after turning the ball over 25 times. The Bulldogs
opened a 6-0 lead in the first period of play and never looked
back. The Black and Orange looked to Brendan Whitmore for a pair of goals. Greg Benz
and Dybas each drew three ejections and Reuther came away with five
steals and nine blocks against UR.
Oxy's afternoon ended with a 15-6 loss at the hands of UC Davis.
The Aggies got out to a quick 4-0 lead, too much of a deficit for
the Tigers to claw back from. Occidental spread out the scoring
with six different players finding the back of the net. Scott
Churchman got some time in front of the goal, making
two saves for the Tigers.
Sunday, the Inland Empire Tournament continued at the University
of La Verne, where Oxy again faced off against the host. The
Leopards got the best of the Tigers in a low scoring affair, 8-5,
in the first game of the day. McDermott tallied two goals, chipping
in with two field blocks as well. Benz drew a team-leading four
ejections in the contest. Reuther turned away 12 Leopards'
shots.
Rounding out the weekend, the Waves from Pepperdine University
tore past the Tigers, 19-4. Oxy scored just once in each quarter,
again looking to Benz, Whitmore, McDermott and freshman Kevin
Coleman. Churchman got the start at goalie and made
seven saves.
For a young team, each freshman got his first taste of
collegiate water polo. Hopefully the experience will lead to more
confidence as the Tigers look to rebound in their next tournament,
which will take place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-25 at the
Lancer Invitational hosted by Cal Baptist University.
Article By: Tracy Maple, Sports Information
Director
