Stags Polo Alone In First After Win At Redlands

Wednesday night, the #1 CMS Men's water polo team defeated the #2 University of Redlands Bulldogs 12-9. The win marks the first regular-season victory over UR for Coach Greg Lonzo in his tenure at CMS. The Stags were fueled by John Holland's seven goals.

The game began in favor of the Bulldogs, as Shane Anderson netted his first of the game off a power play. However, John Holland responded the next play with a strong shot on cage. Both teams went on to score another goal each, but the quarter was capped off by a lob shot from the strong side by senior Ari Wes to put the Stags up 3-2 after the initial eight minutes. 

The Stags came out strong in the second quarter, scoring two unanswered goals to go ahead 5-2. The Bulldogs, however, converted three straight, led by two put-away goals off rebounds in front of the cage. The three put CMS and UofR neck and neck at five a piece going into the half.

After the teams switched sides and the penultimate quarter began, it was all Stag ball, as CMS won the quarter 3-1. CMS drew an ejection quickly at the start of the quarter, and Vincent Schiavoni rocketed the ball past the keeper to put the Stags up 6-5. The very next play, on a Bulldog possession, Schiavoni lunged high up in the lanes and stole the ball, which led to a counter attack goal for his second of three in the game. The Stags would go into the final break ahead 8-6.

The fourth quarter was a battle of possessions, as the Stags used smart ball control to run out the clock and finish plays at the end of the shot clock. Even in the composure-oriented offense, the Stags still managed to win the quarter 4-3. With two minutes remaining, CMS took their largest lead of the game by a margin of four goals, but Redlands would score one more goal to cut the lead to 3 before the final buzzer, ending the game at the final score of 12-9. In addition to Holland's seven, Schiavoni posted a hat trick, while Wes and Huston Middlesworth had one goal a piece. 

Scoring:
CMS-Holland 7, Schiavoni 3, Wes, Middlesworth

UR-Anderson 2, vanHaartesvelt 2, Roth, Harrington, Parsons, Zaggy, Bossenecker

Saves:
Mann (CMS)-6
Abbott (UR)-7, Gunther (UR)- 4