Big third quarter lifts water polo to win over Vanguard

With a three-score advantage at halftime, Chapman (1-2) held Vanguard scoreless in the third quarter and scored four goals of its own to take an 11-4 lead into the fourth quarter. Senior driver Stephen Neville led the Panthers' scoring with two of his game-high four goals in the quarter. Neville also had a team-high three assists. Sophomore Erik Waechter and senior Dominic Tornambe also added scores in the third quarter.

In the first quarter, Vanguard (4-6) junior Israel Perez gave his team a 1-0 lead just 45 seconds into the game for their only lead in the match. The Panthers then ran off four-straight goals, two of which were scored by junior utility Pierre Masson, to take command with a 4-1 lead. The Panthers maintained at least a two-goal lead for the remainder of the game to secure the win in their home opener.

This is Vanguard's first season competing in water polo. So far they are off to a respectable 4-6 start with notable wins against Lindenwood (Mo.) University and the University of La Verne. The Lions were led by two goals each from Perez, junior utility Kevin Burzynski and junior driver David Buckalew on Friday night.

Chapman plays three games on Saturday beginning with a morning match against the University of La Verne at 9 a.m. The Panthers then play Caltech at 11 a.m. followed by a game at 4 p.m. against Whittier College.