Men's Water Polo Splits with Caltech and Whittier

WHITTIER, Calif. - The Austin College men's water polo team took one out of two games on Saturday on day one of its weekend trip to California, topping Caltech 12-8 before falling 14-3 to Whittier. The 'Roos are now 3-3 overall on the year.

Austin College jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Caltech in the day's opening contest, with Jack Stack tallying first to get the 'Roos on the board. Carlos Camarena added a goal midway through the quarter, and Joshua Nelms made it a 3-0 game. Stack rounded out the first quarter scoring, depositing a penalty shot in the back of the cage. Caltech finally got on the board in the second, but Austin College grew its lead to 6-1 on goals by Stack and Nic Ruggiero. The 'Roos headed into halftime leading 8-3.

The 'Roos pushed the lead to 10-4 in the third, but Caltech cut it to an 11-6 game heading into the final period. Austin College was limited to one goal in the fourth, but that proved to be enough insurance as the 'Roo defense helped maintain that cushion for a 12-8 final score. Stack finished with seven goals and an assist to lead the 'Roos, while Ruggiero, Nelms, Camarena, Aidan Wade, and Greyson Gaworecki each tallied once in the win.

The 'Roos got on the board first in their second game of the day against Whittier, with Ruggiero finding the back of the net three minutes in to make it 1-0, but Whittier responded with four straight tallies to end the opening period leading 4-1. The margin grew to 8-1 at halftime, and 12-2 through three quarters. The Poets grew their lead to 14-3 in the final frame to hand the 'Roos the defeat. Ruggiero scored twice for Austin College, and Charlie Howe added a goal in the loss.