Tigers earn split on opening day of Claremont Convergence

LA VERNE, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2009) – The Tigers exploded for 16 goals in the first of two games at the 2009 Claremont Convergence Tournament. Occidental College defeated Penn Satte –Behrend 16-5, but fell to Fresno Pacific 15-6 in the final game of day one.

Both Richard Dybas and Austen Oliver found an offensive groove today with four goals apiece on only four attempts each. Oliver added four drawn ejections and Dybad finished with two.

Adding to the score were Greg Benz who finished with a hat-trick of his own while Tai McDermott and Brendan Whitemore each pitched in with a pair. Conrad Fihn scored the first goal of his collegiate career to cap off the offense.

Fihn added three steals as well. In front of the cage, freshmen goalies, Scott Churchman and Kyle Reuther split time making one and three saves, respectively.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, things didn’t turn out the same in game two.

The Tigers took 22 shots, but scored just six times. Five of those goals came on 6-on-5 situations created by Whitemore (three), McDermott and Benz (two) and Oliver and Dan Seagren with one drawn ejection each.

McDermott led the attack with three goals. Whitemore scored once and Oliver rounded out the scoring with two goals, adding a pair of assists.

Occidental will travel to Pomona-Pitzer tomorrow to finish the tournament with games against Washington &  Jefferson at 11:30 a.m. and Air Force Academy at 3:40 p.m.