Water Polo wins first game of 2009

LA VERNE, Calif. (Sept. 13, 2009) – It was an unusual situation as you looked into the pool during the final game of the 2009 Inland Empire Tournament as two starters were sitting on the bench and three goalies were in the pool, two as position players. Even with this awkward line-up Occidental pulled off a 7-6 victory over conference rival, and host, La Verne after falling to another conference foe in Whittier College by a 12-6 margin earlier in` the day.

Early in the third quarter against ULV freshman starter Dan Seagren was majored, meaning he was handed his third personal foul, and would have to watch the remaining quarter plus from the bench. Just over two minutes later junior Austen Oliver joined Seagren as a spectator for the same reason, leaving no subs for the Tigers and a pair of goalies playing in the field for the final quarter and a half.

Sophomore Tai McDermott led the way with a hat-trick, adding an assist and three drawn ejections. Before his departure Oliver scored a pair of goals for the Tigers. Greg Benz , who also scored a goal, notched a pair of assists and drew two ejections. Max Kelly and Scott Churchman played in the field while freshman Kyle Reuther manned the goal.

The Tigers got doubled up in the first game. McDermott again led the Tigers with three goals, while Kelly made 14 saves in front of the cage. Occidental, as a team, only committed two turnovers and forced five Poets’ turnovers in turn grabbing five steals.

Occidental is now 1-3 as they played some tough competition this weekend.