Stags Score Early, Hold On Late to Edge Cal Lu

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's water polo team jumped out to an early 5-1 lead against Cal Lutheran on Saturday morning, but had to hold on late as the Kingsmen battle back in the second-half. The early goals helped propel the Stags to a 11-10 victory.

The early lead was trimmed back to just two goals at the half at 6-4 after a 3-1 advantage for the Kingsmen in the second period.

Cal Lutheran pulled within one on multiple occasions in the fourth period, but the Stags held on for the one-goal victory.

Zack Rossman (CMC) led the offensive effort for CMS with five goals in the match.

Rossman opened the scoring in the match with a goal in the first minute off an assist from Peter Tilton (CMC). Cal Lutheran responded with a goal from Justin English before CMS scored four straight to end the period with a 5-1 lead. Rossman scored twice during the run with CJ Box (CMC) and Graham Fullerton (CMC) each contributing one.

While the Stags controlled play in the opening period, the second quarter belonged to the Kingsmen. It was Rossman again that scored the only goal in the period for CMS, but his tally was buried amongst three goals from Cal Lutheran.

CMS held a 6-4 lead at the half and early in the third period the Stags would grow their lead to 8-5 after tallies from Noah Deer (CMC) and Robert Driscoll (CMC).

Two-straight goals from the Kingsmen made it a one-goal game at 8-7 late in the third period. A goal from Deer with seconds left on the clock in the third quarter gave CMS a two goal lead heading to the final period.

In the fourth quarter, the two sides went back and forth trading every other goal. The two-goal lead heading into the period allowed the Stags to hold on for the 11-10 victory.

With the win the Stags move to 4-2 in the conference and 9-10 overall. CMS is next in action on Tuesday when they travel to Chapman to take on the Panthers at 7:00 p.m.