By: Mariah Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and Digital Media
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 PROVIDENCE, RI --- The California Baptist men's water polo program earned its first win of the 2024 season on Sunday morning after splitting the final day of the Bruno Classic. Head Coach Kevin Rosa's squad took down Iona 16-8 in commanding fashion and took on the tournament host later that afternoon, ultimately falling 16-13 to #20 Brown. The Lancers improve to 1-3 on the young season.
#17 CBU 16 - IONA 8
After dropping both games the previous day, the Lancers came out on the attack right from the start and found an early lead thanks to Alex Righetti. The Gaels and Lancers traded points through the first quarter, but CBU pulled away with a four-goal run during the second and continued to extend. Rosa's defense limited Iona to just two goals in the second and helped the Lancers secure an 8-4 lead heading into halftime.
California Baptist continued to stack goals in the third after adding four and limited the Gaels to just two yet again. Another four-goal quarter would ultimately secure the win for the Lancers, with Caleb Teraoka putting away five himself. Righetti also picked up his second hat trick of the season, and Toring Stanley solidified a brace.
#20 BROWN 16 - #17 CBU 13
The Lancers opened up their second game of the day strong, putting away four goals, while William Whitstone allowed just two in the first quarter. The tournament hosts, still on the hunt for their first win this season, did not go quietly and surged ahead in the second quarter after finding the back of the cage seven times for a 9-8 lead at the half.
Bodhi Bowden came up big for the Lancers in the third quarter and slotted two balls into the back of Brown's net, but the Bears held the lead just out of reach. With a two-goal lead heading into the fourth quarter, Brown struck first and went on a three-goal run to push their lead to five. The Lancers continued to chip away and Teraoka found a goal, while Aiden Olson also got in on the attacking action. CBU was ultimately unable to make the complete comeback and left the Bruno Classic 1-3 on the weekend.
California Baptist will return to the West Coast and gear up to battle #1 UCLA on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.
