LANCASTER, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2010) – In the final game of the day today at the Lancer Invitational hosted by Cal Baptist University, the Occidental College men's water polo team knocked off Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe University of La Verne 7-5 for their first win of the young 2010 season.

Avenging an earlier season 8-5 loss to the Leopards at the Inland Empire Tournament, the Tigers looked to five different players to score with Brendan Whitmore and Greg Benz each finding the back of the net twice apiece. Benz added an assist in the game and joind Richard Dybas with two drawn ejections. Josh Kantor added a goal an assist and a drawn ejection.

Tai McDermott led the pack with three steals while both Joe Reynolds and Justin Lim finished with two. Scott Churchman got the nod to start in front of the cage and turned away 12 Leopards' shots.

Earlier in the weekend, Oxy came up short against Riverside Community College (9-12), host Cal Baptist (9-18) and SCIAC rival Whittier (6-8).

Whitmore notched a hat-trick in each of the first two games, adding a goal against Whittier as well. The sophomore also drew a team-high three ejections in the first game (RCC) and four against the host Lancers. Benz also scored a trio of goals against CBU, adding two against RCC and one versus the Poets.

Churchman blocked 13 shots in the weekend opener against Riverside CC while Kyle Reuther saw action against Cal Baptist and Whittier. Reuther tallied nine blocks against CBU and turned away a season high 15 shots against WC.

Occidental is now 1-7 as they prepare to play the Chapman University Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 2 in Orange, Calif. at 11:00 a.m.