Owls Collapse in Second Half Against Valley

Glendora, CA (Men's Water Polo) -- The Citrus College Men's Water Polo team kept things close for the first 16 minutes of Wednesday afternoon's Western State Conference contest with LA Valley College. The Owls trailed by just four goals after the first half of play, but were outscored 13-2 in the second half in a 21-6 conference set back.

Things started off well enough for the Owls. The Monarchs outscored Citrus by one point in the first quarter, a quarter the Owls have struggled with all year. Valley put some more distance between the two teams outscoring Citrus 5-2 in the second quarter, but the Owls only trailed 8-4 at the break.

In the second half, things unfolded for the Owls. Valley gave up just two Citrus scores in the final 16 minutes, and scored five goals in the third and eight in the fourth to get to the final margin of 15.

Sophomore Raul Castaneda and Christian Deamer each scored a pair of goals for the Owls, while freshman Jonathon Aguirre and Lukas Taylor added the other two. Castaneda also drew a team high four kickouts, and freshman goalie Andy Perez stopped 10 shots in two and a half quarters of play.

With the loss, Citrus drops to 6-13 overall and 0-3 in WSC play. Citrus will be back in the water this weekend as they take part in the Cuesta College Tournament. The Owls open up the tournament on Friday with Cabrillo College at 10:10 AM at the Cuesta College pool.