LOS ANGELES — Oxy men's water polo started off the 2025 Gary Troyer tournament strong, going 2-0 on day one with a convincing win over Wheaton and a narrow win over UC Merced.

GAME 1 - W, 23-5
Occidental College defeated Wheaton College (MA) with a decisive 23-5 victory at the De Mandel Aquatics Center. The Tigers opened with a strong first half, scoring 16 goals and holding Wheaton to just 3. They capitalized on two penalty shots and added a power-play goal, demonstrating their offensive strength.

Occidental seized an early lead against Wheaton with Danny Miller scoring twice in the first quarter, assisted by Travis Hughes, to make it 2-1. The Tigers continued to dominate the opening quarter, adding four more goals, including strikes from Hughes and Kevin Castellanos, ending the first quarter ahead 8-2. In the second quarter, they extended their lead with a penalty shot by Lars Schubert and a goal by Max Stone, contributing to a 16-3 advantage by halftime. Wheaton managed to score twice in the third quarter, with Hudson Kosiba netting both goals, narrowing the margin to 20-5. Occidental maintained their offensive momentum in the final quarter, closing the game with three more goals to secure the decisive victory.

Travis Hughes led the team with four assists and added a goal on his single shot. Jack Davis was efficient, converting both of his shot attempts into goals while also recording a block. Loron Washburn made a defensive impact with four steals and contributed a goal and an assist. Evan Morisky found the back of the net twice on four attempts and added three steals to his performance.

Occidental Top Performers

Travis Hughes
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- 1 goal
- 4 assists
- 1 sprint win

Lucas Washburn
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- 2 goals
- 1 assist
- 1 sprint win

Danny Miller
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- 2 goals

Loron Washburn
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- 1 goal
- 1 assist
- 4 steals

Jack Schroeder
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- 6 saves

GAME 2 - W 11-10
The Tigers edged UC Merced in a tense 11-10 victory at De Mandel Aquatics Center. Occidental surged ahead with a strong second quarter, scoring three goals while holding UC Merced scoreless. UC Merced mounted a comeback in the third quarter, scoring four goals, but the Tigers' two goals in the final quarter secured the win. The home team's efficiency on power plays, converting two opportunities, played a key role in the outcome.

Occidental initiated the scoring with Max Stone finding the net in the first quarter, followed by Lucas Washburn and Travis Hughes extending the lead to 3-1. The Bobcats responded as Hayden Markell and Christian Soto closed the first quarter with goals, leveling the score at 3-3. In the second quarter, Danny Miller scored twice for the Tigers, contributing to a 6-3 lead. The third quarter saw UC Merced's Vincent Labonte score back-to-back goals, narrowing the gap to 7-6, but the Tigers maintained a slim lead with Jake Eulenhoefer and Hughes scoring, ending the quarter at 9-8. The final quarter was tightly contested, with teams exchanging goals, but Occidental edged out UC Merced 11-10, despite being outshot 35-29.

Travis Hughes made a significant impact with three goals and three assists, while also contributing three steals and winning a sprint. Lucas Washburn added two goals on four attempts, enhancing the team's offensive output. Max Stone recorded two goals from seven shots, maintaining pressure on the opposing defense. In goal, Jack Schroeder was pivotal with 15 saves, effectively limiting the opposition's scoring opportunities.

Occidental Top Performers

Travis Hughes
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- 3 goals
- 3 assists
- 3 steals
- 1 sprint win

Lucas Washburn
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- 2 goals
- 2 steals

Max Stone
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- 2 goals

Danny Miller
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- 2 goals
- 1 steal

Jack Schroeder
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- 15 saves
- 1 steal

UP NEXT
Oxy will be back in action tomorrow, October 4th, in the afternoon as they take on the Augustanca College Viking at 12:45pm and then wrap up the 2025 Gary Troyer tournament at De Mandel at 4:30pm against Penn State Behrend.