CMS Men's Water Polo Drops 12-11 Decision to Chapman

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Luke (Bear) Weigle scored four goals, but the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's water polo team was unable to come all the way back from a five-goal deficit and fell 12-11 to Chapman on Saturday at Axelrood Pool.

The loss snaps a three-game conference winning streak for the Stags, who fall to 9-11 on the year and 4-2 in conference. Chapman improves to 9-10 and 2-2 in the league with the win. 

The score was tied 2-2 after the first quarter behind goals from Auggie Aliaga and Cristian Pang, but Chapman was able to take a 6-3 lead into the break, as Gavin Rosser had the only goal of the second period for the Stags. The Panthers swelled the lead to 8-3 in the third, and answered CMS goals to make it 9-4 and 10-5 before the Stags tried to make a comeback. 

Weigle had two straight goals off of feeds from Aliaga, and Kyle Ballack capped off a 3-0 run to make it 10-8. Everett Prussak broke the run, though, when he stole an outlet pass and scored from beyond midpool into an empty net to make it 11-8. Weigle scored his fourth to make it 11-9 with 3:25 left, but the Stags could come no closer until Eli Schwarz scored from midpool at the buzzer to make it a 12-11 final. 

Ballack had two goals for the Stags, Aliaga had a goal and three assists, and Thomas Walker had a goal and two assists. Aidan Nettekoven finished with eight saves, and Walker had five steals to lead the defense. 

CMS will be back in action on Wednesday when it travels to Redlands for a 7 p.m. contest.