Up and Down for Owls at Cuesta

San Luis Obispo, CA (Men's Water Polo) -- The Citrus College Men's Water Polo team was up and down this weekend at the Cuesta College Tournament. Citrus won one, and lost one on day one, and then won one, and lost one on day two of the tournament as they came home 2-2.

Citrus started off the tournament well enough with a 16-9 win over Cabrillo College. Citrus ran out to a 4-2 lead after one and then a 7-5 advantage at the half. Citrus pushed their lead to three after three periods, but put the game away for good by outscoring Cabrillo 5-1 in the fourth quarter as they settled in for their seven point victory.

Sophomore Raul Castaneda was seven for seven in shot attempts leading the way for the Owls. Freshmen Jonathan Aguirre added four, and Elias Bustos three. Freshman goalie Andy Perez stopped 14 shots in the win.

In the second game of the weekend, the Owls fell behind Santa Rosa College 6-4 at the break. In the second half, Citrus just plain ran out of gas, as the Bearcats outscoring the Owls 7-2, in a 13-6 loss for Citrus. Freshman Austin Sanchez and Bustos both scored twice in the losing effort.

On Saturday Citrus opened things up with an exhilerating 16-15 win over Ohlone College in overtime. The Owls led by a single goal headed into the fourth, and surrendered the tying goal in the fourth. In overtime, Citrus pulled away scoring twice and holding Ohlone to just one score in the win. Castaneda took the match over practically with nine goals.

In the final contest Citrus took on Merced College. The Owls ran out to a 5-3 lead at the break, but stumbled in the second half being outscored 9-2, in a 12-7 set back. Castaneda scored six of Citrus' seven goes in the loss.

With the two wins and losses Citrus moves to 8-15 on the year. The Owls will be out of the water until next weekend when they take part in the Golden West Tournament II. The schedule will be released later this week.