COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--- Biola men's water polo battled through regulation, two overtime periods and into sudden death before falling 14-13 to Wagner on Sunday morning at the Air Force Rare Air Invitational.
Wagner struck first, but Biola continued to answer throughout the opening quarter. Kyle Seifen responded just 22 seconds later off an assist from Landon Heuer before Jayden Rose converted a five-meter penalty to even the match at 2-2. Noah Ryznar added another with 32 seconds remaining, pulling the Eagles within one, 4-3, after the first.
The Eagles took control in the second quarter. After Wagner opened the period with two straight goals, Biola responded with four unanswered. Gavin Starling started the run before Micah Hernandez and Heuer followed to tie the match at 6-6. Ryznar capped the surge with 10 seconds remaining to give BU a 7-6 advantage at halftime.
Wagner regained the lead in the third quarter, outscoring Biola 3-2. Starling scored his second of the match before Isaac Demski connected on a power play with 32 seconds remaining, sending the teams into the fourth tied at 9-9.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the final period. Heuer put Biola back in front with 6:43 remaining before Wagner answered. Seifen restored the Eagles' lead at 11-10 off a feed from Hernandez, but the Seahawks responded again just 22 seconds later.
Ryznar completed his hat trick with 2:39 remaining to give Biola a 12-11 advantage. Wagner answered with 1:40 left, sending the match to overtime tied at 12-12.
Wagner scored with 25 seconds remaining in the first overtime to move ahead 13-12, but the Eagles had another answer. Hernandez found the back of the cage with 48 seconds remaining in the second overtime to tie the match and force sudden death.
The marathon came to an end when Wagner converted on the power play in sudden death, securing the 14-13 decision.Â
Ryznar led Biola with three goals and an assist, while Heuer, Hernandez, Seifen and Starling each scored twice. Rose and Demski added one goal apiece.
Kevin Slack led the defensive effort with six steals, while Igor Pinheiro played all 38:50 in goal and finished with 10 saves, two steals and two assists.
Biola moved to 4-10 on the season and continues play at the Air Force Rare Air Invitational. Their final match is at 11:30 a.m. against Augustana.
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