Last second goal by Vanguard sinks Chapman on Senior Night
ORANGE, Calif. – A goal with two seconds remaining in the game by junior David Buckalew gave Vanguard University a 9-8 win over the Chapman University men's water polo team on Wednesday night at the Allred Aquatics Center. Buckalew's game-winning goal capped a crazy final 25 seconds in which the teams combined to score three goals.
With the score tied and 1:21 remaining, Vanguard (9-16) junior utility Kevin Burzynski scored to push the lead to 8-7. Chapman (10-11) answered back with 13 second remaining on a goal from senior driver Stephen Neville off of five-meter penalty shot. After a timeout, Buckalew scored from the right side as the Lions escaped with the win on the Panthers' senior night. Both Buckalew and Burzynski had two scores for Vanguard with both of Burzynski's goals coming in the fourth quarter.
Vanguard didn't get its first lead of the game until the 7:29 mark of the fourth quarter when Burzynski scored to make the score 6-5. The Panthers then scored consecutive goals by Neville and senior driver Chase Parlee to jump back in the lead 7-6. Vanguard then scored three of the final four goals to close out the game.
Parlee scored three of his game-high four goals in the first half as Chapman built a 5-3 halftime lead. Seniors Parlee, Neville and Dominic Tornambe combined to score seven of the eight Panthers' goal. Freshman 2M Brett Carter scored the other Chapman goal in the second quarter. Neville also had a game-high four assists.
Before the game Chapman honored its seniors; Parlee, Neville, Tornambe, Mario Ruiz, Brad Aills and Matt Siordia. Here are a few notes on their careers at Chapman.
Brad Aills is one of just two seniors graduating this year to have played water polo for four seasons at Chapman. He has played in 20 of Chapman's 21 games this year with four goals, five assists and five steals. As a sophomore in 2008 he had a career-year playing in 30 games while scoring 12 goals with 11 assists and 35 steals.
Dominic Tornambe is also a four-year water polo player. He is a team captain in 2010 and has played in 19 games with six goals and 15 assists. He is a three-time selection to the Western Water Polo Association All-Academic team. As a junior he set career highs with 16 goals, 19 assists and 23 steals.
Stephen Neville has been one of the Panthers' top offensive players since transferring to Chapman in 2009 totaling 79 goals and 81 assists. This year he is the top assist man for the Panthers with 39 and second in goals with 36. For the week of Oct. 21, 2009 he earned WWPA Player of the Week by scoring nine goals and tallying seven assists over three games.
Chase Parlee in just one season at Chapman has quickly made his mark on the program and throughout the WWPA. He has played in 20 games and is the Panthers' top-scorer with 57 goals. Just last week he was named WWPA Player of the Week for his play at the Claremont Convergence Tournament. Chapman went 3-1 in the tournament and he had 14 goals.
Mario Ruiz transferred to Chapman in 2009. Over two seasons he has scored eight goals with 14 assists and 23 steals. In 2009 he was selected to the WWPA All-Academic team with a 3.57 GPA and also earned Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-Academic honors.
Matt Siordia also transferred to Chapman for the 2009 season…He is currently second on the team with 28 assists to go along with 16 goals and 17 steals in 20 games played. Last season he was selected to the WWPA All-Academic team and also earned Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-Academic honors.
by Chris Watts
Sports Information Assistant