CBU Overcomes Adversity for Two Wins

Friday, October 6

Claremont, Calif.

9:15 AM

California Baptist University

Fordham

Photo by: Matt Ressler

CBU Overcomes Adversity for Two Wins

10/6/2017 4:06:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

CLAREMONT, Calif. – Down two influential players, California Baptist University needed to scrap on day one of the Gary Troyer Tournament at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps' Axelrood Pool on Friday.

Despite being at a deficit, the 15^th-ranked Lancers won both games over No. 19 Fordham and McKendree on respective scores of 12-9 and 15-5. CBU improves to 15-6 this year as winners of eight of its last nine, while the Rams and Lions drop to a respective 9-5 and 3-9.

"The experience we got last week paid off, guys got to step up and play big minutes because we were down some guys," Coach Kevin Rosa said. "It's like the cliché of next man up, we were down a couple of guys so we needed people to step up and they did."

Two more games await the Lancers on Saturday, as they will play their 10^th game in seven days. CBU will face 18^th-ranked San Jose State at 9:15 a.m. and then conclude the week versus La Salle at 6 p.m. at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

CBU came into the day already down one player, and lost another to an injury in the first quarter against Fordham. The Rams took advantage and matched the Lancers goal for goal to a 4-4 tie going into the second frame.

The Lancers cleaned up their defense and only allowed five goals over the final three quarters. They scored the first three goals of the second frame, with two coming from Jonny Lotero and another from Kyle Christian, to take a 7-4 lead three minutes and 18 seconds before halftime.

Fordham never let the game get out of reach and fought back within a goal twice 9-8 and 10-9. The Lancers answered back each time and never let go of their lead. Lotero powered home his fifth and final goal of the game off a Christian Britton assist with 1:33 left in the third quarter to give CBU some insurance, up 10-8.

The Rams scored 17 seconds into the fourth quarter to pull back within a goal, but Britton restored the two-goal lead, 11-9, with 5:15 to play. It was a defensive grind down the stretch, and Matt Miller made five of his nine saves in the fourth quarter.

"We settled ourselves down after the first quarter," Rosa said. "We played good defense, got the ball to Matt and he made some nice saves for us, including the fourth quarter."

With Fordham's chances at a comeback running out, Miller made his final block on a desperation shot from the Rams to boost the Lancers' chances at victory. On the counter, Tanner Shore secured the result with CBU's 12^th goal with 36 seconds left on the clock.

Lotero continued to play big with five goals, an assist and steal in the game. Shore forced four turnovers, notched two goals and two more assists, while Dominick Nevarez had a goal, two assists and a steal in one quarter of play.

"The normal suspects were there for us, with Jonny having a big game, Tanner putting up four points and Dom doing what he did in the first quarter," Rosa said. "We started a little slow defensively, but we only gave up five goals after the first quarter."

In the nightcap, CBU gave its starters some rest versus McKendree. The Lancers still scored eight of the first nine goals of the game for an 8-1 lead by halftime, with Shore scoring three of those eight.

The Lions managed to claw their deficit down to five, 10-5, with 5:56 to play in the game, but CBU finished the contest on a five-goal run, with Matt Diacono, Ryan Sargis, Britton, Joseph Galgani and Zach Lowery all contributing.

CBU's goalkeepers combined for 14 saves in the game. Gabe Thorne got the start and finished with eight saves, while Tommy Lotero and JP Syfacunda added four and two blocks, respectively, in the cage.

Shore led all goal scorers, with all three of his game-high tallies coming in the first half. Sargis, Rogers and Britton each scored twice in the game, while Britton (one assist, two steals) joined Shore and Galgani (one goal, two assists, two steals) with a game-high three points.

FORDHAM BOX SCORE

MCKENDREE BOX SCORE