Stags Open Defense Of SCIAC Title With Win Over Poets

The men's water polo team flexed their muscles this morning, as they opened SCIAC play against Whittier College, putting the Poets down early to win 17-8.

The Stags opened up play against their opponents from the 2010 SCIAC Championship game by converting a 5-meter penalty shot, taken by John Holland. Holland and the Stags never looked back, as they took a 3-1 lead at the quarter break.

The second quarter saw similar success for the Stags, as they held the Poets scoreless, but managed to tally four of their own. The Stags saw several different scorers emerge this quarter, as Brian Chong, Vincent Schiavoni, and Brian Baier all added to their season totals within the quarter.

The second half began in the Stags' favor, 7-1, and CMS didn't let up, as they went on to score the greatest amount of any other quarter, totaling six goals within the 8-minute period. The Poets only managed to put four past the Stags defense, and would not see this luck again, as they could only get three in the final quarter, totaling 8 within the entire match.

Seven Stags found the back of the net in today's SCIAC opener, as Holland, Schiavoni, and Chong led all scorers with four apiece. Brian Baier netted two, while Maarten Lefor, Huston Middlesworth, and Mark Nietzel each had one of their own.

The Stags will return to action Wednesday, October 19 at 7:00 pm as they take on rival Pomona-Pitzer in a classic Sixth Street Battle at Axelrood Pool. The Stags carry the #1 ranking in Division 3 into the game, while P-P is ranked #4. Both teams have one win and no losses against SCIAC teams, as they both put their undefeated conference play on the line.

Scoring:
CMS: Chong 4, Schiavoni 4, Holland 4, Baier 2, Lefor, Middlesworth, Nietzel

WC: Schuster 4, Gonzalez 2, Panfilo, Rehm

Saves: Mann (CMS) 12, Evenrud (WC) N/A