CLAREMONT, Calif.--- Biola Men's Water Polo continued play at the Gary Troyer Tournament on Saturday, falling 15-7 to nationally-ranked No. 16 California Baptist at Axelrood Aquatics Center.
The Lancers scored the first three goals of the match before Biola answered late in the opening quarter. Micah Hernandez put the Eagles on the board off an assist from Landon Heuer with 3:10 remaining, and Kyle Seifen followed with 50 seconds left, also off a feed from Heuer, to cut the deficit to 4-2 after one.Â
California Baptist created separation in the second quarter, scoring the first three goals of the period to extend its lead to 7-2. Noah Ryznar stopped the run by converting a five-meter penalty with 3:11 remaining, but CBU added one more before halftime to take an 8-3 advantage into the break.
Biola put together its strongest stretch of the afternoon in the third quarter. After the Lancers opened the period with two goals, Ivan Tkach started a three-goal Eagle run off an assist from Isaac Demski.
Aiden Ortiz followed with 2:26 remaining before Carson Crocket found the back of the cage just 38 seconds later off a feed from Ortiz, cutting the deficit to 10-6. CBU responded with the final goal of the quarter to carry an 11-6 lead into the fourth.
The Lancers added four straight goals in the final period before Xander Trevitt closed out the scoring for Biola. Trevitt connected on a power play off an assist from Jayden Rose with one minute remaining.
Seven different Eagles found the back of the cage, with Hernandez, Seifen, Ryznar, Tkach, Ortiz, Crocket and Trevitt each scoring once. Heuer led Biola with two assists, while Ortiz, Demski and Rose each added one.Â
Seifen, Kevin Slack and Trevitt each recorded two steals to lead Biola's defensive effort. Cooper Smith and Igor Pinheiro split time in goal, combining for seven saves. Smith finished with three saves, while Pinheiro added four.
Biola continues play at the Gary Troyer Tournament today with their final matchup against Pomona-Pitzer.
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