THOUSAND OAKS, Calif — California Lutheran University men's water polo saw its 2021 season ended come to an end in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Tournament Semifinals as the Kingsmen fell to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 15-10 on Friday afternoon.
It was a successful season for the Kingsmen, which put up program-best marks in total wins (22) and conference wins (12). Cal Lutheran finished second in the conference during the regular season, securing the right to host the semis of the SCIAC Tournament.
With the Kingsmen advancing to the SCIAC Postseason Tournament, Cal Lutheran was the only SCIAC institution to compete in every fall tournament.
Ben Brown led the way for the Kingsmen, totaling four goals, three steals and two field blocks. Seniors Stephen Blaauw, Wyatt Lowe and Parker Jory each scored two goals in their final collegiate game.
Seniors Andre Rivas, and Jonathan Salandi, also competing in their final game, split time in goal. Rivas got the start and recorded four saves and one steal, while Salandi played the second half and had four goals.
The game went back-and-forth to start, and after the first four minutes, it was tied 2-2. Blaauw and Lowe got things going for the Kingsmen. It was a tough rest of the quarter, as Cal Lutheran connected with the post a few times, and allowed the Stags to score four straight.
CMS opened the second quarter with a goal and had a 7-2 with 6:33 remaining in the half. The Stags scored seven straight, in all, before Cal Lutheran stopped the run. Jory got on the board as he fired a shot past the goalie. The Kingsmen saw some light as Brown scored on the ensuing possession and the lead was 9-4. CMS scored one more before the break and led 10-4 at half.
Cal Lutheran looked to get back in the game in the second half and started the third quarter with two goals. Brown and Blaauw made the score 10-6. The third quarter ended with the Kingsmen hitting the post as CMS had an 11-6 lead with eight minutes to play. The lead could not be overcome in the final period as the Stags took down the Kingsmen.
Box Score: CMS 15, CLU 10
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
