Stags Leave Poets Speechless

Blue skies paved the way to the top for the Maroon and Gold as the Stags defeated defending Division 3 champions, Whittier College, Saturday morning, 10-8. Whittier entered Axelrood pool coming off a huge win over league foe Pomona-Pitzer. However, unlike our cross-campus rivals, CMS was too strong for the Poets, leaving them speechless with a 4-1 run in the second period after going down 0-2 in the first.

CMS controlled the pace of the game in the first quarter, but could not seem to capitalize after many attempts up and down the pool. Whittier, however, notched two early, putting the Stags in a hard position where strategy was key. After only two minutes between quarters with Coach Greg Lonzo, the Stags came back and quickly got on the board four times before Whittier could respond. At the closing seconds of the half, however, the Poets were able to put one away, making it a one-goal game going into the break. The Stags never let their momentum down, as they continued to work their offense, drawing multiple kick-outs and 5-meter penalties that all led to goals. Going in to the final quarter, CMS was up 9-5, but Whittier began sending players back to offense and running a new system in order to stage a comeback. The Stags, however, were not fooled by their play, as they held on to the lead for the remainder of the game and walked off the pool deck, once again, victorious. Leading the Stags was Brian Chong (JR, Mercer Island, WA) [pictured], who notched six in the win. Brian Baier (SO, Orinda) added a hat trick for CMS, while fellow Orinda native, John Holland (FR, Orinda), had one of his own. Senior keeper, Sean Wasserman (SR, Los Gatos), tallied nine saves in the victory, while Huston Middlesworth (SO, Bellevue, WA) was on point with four assists.