Panthers rally to defeat Cal Lu in home opener

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's water polo defeated Cal Lutheran 12-11 in a come-from-behind victory in the Panthers home opener and first SCIAC match of the season on Saturday morning at Allred Pool.

The Kingsmen (6-9 overall, 0-1 SCIAC) opened up with back-to-back goals by sophomore D Chris Gardhouse to take the lead 2-0. Cal Lutheran then tagged on two more goals in the first quarter, before senior Willis Allen found the back of the net with 25 seconds left in the first to end the period 4-1 Kingsmen.

In the second quarter, Chapman went on a 4-1 run to tie the game up 5-5. Sophomore Jeff O'Brien tallied a pair of goals in the quarter.

Trailing 6-5 in the third quarter, Chapman posted three goals in four minutes to steal the lead 8-6. The Panthers then extended their lead in the fourth quarter when sophomore Jack Hillman got the hot hand scoring three consecutive goals to give Chapman an 11-6 lead.

The Kingsmen climbed back with just under five minutes left in the fourth quarter to record a 5-1 run, but ultimately came up short falling to Chapman 12-11.

The Panther offense was led by Hillman and O'Brien who each tallied a team-high of three goals apiece. O'Brien currently ranks fourth in the SCIAC with 36 goals this season.

Senior Stephen Neil protected the net for the Panthers tallying 16 blocks and four steals.

Chapman (9-7 overall, 1-0 SCIAC) will take its next two matches to the road beginning with Redlands on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. followed by Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 11 a.m.  

by Raquel Rinauro
Sports Information Assistant

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