Big second quarter leads to CMS win over Cal Baptist
CLAREMONT, Calif - Ranked 16th in the nation, Cal Baptist presented a challenge for the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's water polo team Wednesday evening at Axelrood Pool as CMS pulled off the 13-11 win. The last matchup between the teams played earlier this season resulted in a 9-7 loss for CMS.
The Lancers took advantage of an early CMS ejection to score within the first minute of the game. At the 6:07 mark of the first quarter, the Stags responded with a goal by senior John Holland which was the first of four goals for him in the game. In the final two minutes of the first quarter, the Lancers broke through the Stag defense twice, ending the first quarter with a 3-1 advantage over the home team.
In the second quarter, the Stags outscored the Lancers 6-2. Making good use of drawn ejections and penalties, sophomore Tanner Cullen, junior Mark Nietzel and Holland each found the back of the net twice which gave the Stags a 7-5 lead at halftime. Cullen, Nietzel, and Holland collectively scored ten of the Stags' thirteen goals in the match.
The second quarter was the deciding factor in the CMS victory, as the second half brought six goals for both teams. Five goals were scored in the third quarter, alternating between the teams. CMS came out strong in the beginning of the fourth quarter, scoring three-straight goals, to which Cal Baptist responded with the game's final four goals.
The CMS men's water polo team is now 8-8 overall and has won six in a row. CMS looks to carry the momentum from this victory into their next matchup with La Verne as they begin SCIAC play.
by Brittany Arneson
CMC Public Affairs Intern
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