Stags hold onto lead and win vs. Redlands, extend win streak to ten
CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's water polo team beat Redlands 10-9 in the Wednesday night SCIAC game. The Bulldogs took an early lead but were no match for the Stags who went ahead and held onto their lead despite a fourth quarter surge by Redlands.
Redlands played a very aggressive first quarter both on offense and defense. They put pressure on the Stags and came away with a 2-1 lead by the end of the quarter. Tanner Cullen scored the only goal of the quarter for CMS after a steal by Daniel Cogan.
The Stags tied up the game at two goals apiece early in the second quarter on a goal by Maarten Lefor from John Holland only to drop to 3-2 on a Redlands goal thirty seconds later. CMS' defense had to adjust to Redlands left-hander Michael Robinson who was taking many of the Bulldogs' shots from the weak side.
CMS tied it again after a steal by Cullen, pass to Mark Nietzel and back to Cullen for the decisive goal. This goal was a turning point for the Stags as they gained confidence and momentum going forward.
By the end of the first half the score was tied 4-4 with another goal by Cullen. Instead of firing his shot into a corner, Cullen lobbed this one in with practiced precision.
The Stags scored two goals in a row in the beginning of the second half. Holland had the first goal and Cogan scored on a shot from outside for the second. This put CMS up 6-4 with four minutes to go in the third quarter.
Redlands scored once more before the Stags went on a four goal run. Alec Linz started it off with a big goal with only 47 seconds to spare in the third quarter to put CMS ahead 7-5. Charles McGregor came up with a timely field block as time waned in the quarter.
Cullen scored the next three including a spin and backhand shot for a goal to make the score 10-5 in favor of the Stags. One of his goals was scored after a Redlands ejection, assisted by Conrad Shabb
With just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Redlands retaliated with a goal of their own and then called a timeout to strategize for the remaining minute and a half of play. The Bulldogs came out of the timeout determined to even the score. Two quick shots and goals later Redlands came within two of the Stags with a minute left to play. Redlands converted on an untimely CMS ejection to push the score to 10-9, Stags leading.
The Bulldogs, after four goals in a row, could not overcome the mighty Stags as CMS held onto the ball and ran down the clock to secure the win over Redlands.
In goal, James Kelly had at least four blocks on the night and was instrumental in shutting down the Redlands offense.
Cullen, the Stags' high-scorer, totaled six goals for CMS.
CMS extends their winning streak to 10 games and remain undefeated in SCIAC. They go to Whittier to take on the Poets this Saturday (11/2) at 7 pm.
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