Water Polo Welcomes New Pool With 8-7 Win
CLU Holds Off Mercyhurst (PA) in Tournament Opener
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The California Lutheran University men’s water polo team played at the Samuelson Aquatics Center on Thursday night for the first time in the program's history defeating Mercyhurst (PA) College, 8-7. CLU senior Scott Bredesen and sophomore Matt Heagy scored four goals apiece, producing the entire Kingsmen offensive attack in the CLU tournament opener.
After a first quarter featuring three ties, two lead changes and a 3-3 score, Cal Lutheran scored three unanswered goals taking a 6-3 lead with 3:29 remaining in the third period.
CLU held the same margin with five minutes remaining in the game when Lakers two-meter player Alex Perry scored a pair of his team-high four goals in the final quarter.
Mercyhurst had a shot in the final seconds of regulation from six meters out to tie but a Jordan Bouey save preserved an 8-7 score.
Heagy and CLU goalkeeper Quinten Beckmann etched their names in school and Samuelson Aquatics Center history by scoring the first goal and blocking the first shot in men’s water polo action, respectively.
Cal Lutheran (2-3) will become part of history for the third consecutive day as it opens Friday’s tournament schedule against Fresno Pacific University, a team competing in its first ever aquatics event in the school’s history.
For complete tournament results and schedule, visit CLU Tournament Schedule.
