FULLERTON, Calif.--- Biola men's water polo fell 12-7 to California Lutheran on Friday afternoon at the Titan Invite at Fullerton Aquatics Center.
The Eagles struck first as Aiden Ortiz found the back of the cage off a feed from Kyle Seifen with 6:41 remaining in the opening quarter. Cal Lutheran, ranked No. 8 in NCAA Division III, responded with four unanswered goals to close the frame and take a 4-1 advantage into the second.
Biola settled in during the second quarter and began to cut into the deficit. Noah Ryznar converted a five-meter penalty just 42 seconds into the period before Landon Heuer followed off an assist from Ryznar to bring the Eagles within one, 4-3.
Cal Lutheran added the final goal of the half to send Biola into the break trailing 5-3.
The Kingsmen created separation in the third quarter, outscoring Biola 5-2. Carson Crocket connected on a power play off a feed from Isaac Demski before Ryznar found the back of the cage as time expired, but Cal Lutheran carried a 10-5 lead into the fourth.
The two sides each scored twice in the final period. Ryznar completed his hat trick with 5:31 remaining before Dean Witt added Biola's final goal off an assist from Ortiz with 22 seconds left.
Ryznar led the Eagles with three goals and an assist for a team-high four points. Ortiz added a goal and an assist, while Heuer, Crocket and Witt each contributed one goal.
Seifen led Biola's defensive effort with five steals while also adding an assist. The Eagles outshot Cal Lutheran 29-24 in the match.
Igor Pinheiro and Cooper Smith split time in goal for Biola, with Pinheiro recording seven saves in 21 minutes of action.
The Eagles moved to 3-7 on the season and return to action Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. against Cal State Fullerton at the Titan Invite.
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