Upset bid falls short in second half; Panthers lose to No. 2 Redlands

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's water polo team has never beaten the University of Redlands. On Saturday the Panthers took a 9-8 lead into halftime, but were held to just three second half goals as Redlands prevailed once again 14-12 at the Allred Olympic Pool.

Redlands (11-13), ranked No. 2 in Division III, scored three straight goals to open the third quarter to turn a one-goal deficit into a two-goal advantage and never looked back. The Bulldogs capitalized on 11 Chapman turnovers in the game and had the Panthers playing catch-up the rest of the way. Chapman evened the score at 11-11 with 6:44 left in the fourth quarter, but that was the last time they were able to pull even.

Despite falling behind 4-2 early, No. 6-ranked Chapman (11-11) scored three goals in the final 1:40 of the first quarter to take a 5-4 lead. Freshman driver Chase Middlesworth scored two of his three goals during that stretch to aid the Panthers' cause.

The Panthers extended their lead to 6-4 early in the second quarter on a goal from sophomore driver Dylan Trumbull. With the game tied at 8-8, Trumbull struck again with .56 seconds remaining in the first half to give Chapman the halftime lead. Trumbull finished with a game-high four goals.

After Trumbull's fourth goal tied the score at 11, Redlands scored three of the game's final four goals and held the Panthers scoreless over the final 2:36 to avoid the upset.

For Chapman, senior driver David Carson and freshman driver Mark Alvarado each tallied five assists. Carson now has 52 assists this season, just three shy of the Chapman record.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/mwaterpolo/2011-12/files/UR-CU.pdf

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