Promising Start

Glendora, CA -- The Citrus College Men's Water Polo team opened up their 2013 season on Friday when they hosted their annual tournament that drew teams from around Southern California. The Owls split their two games on the day, but it was a promising start for a squad that looked vastly improved in a 14-9 loss to Santa Ana College and 20-10 win over Miramar College.

The morning kicked off with their contest against the Dons of Santa Ana. The game was tight throughout. The Owls stormed out of the gate and scored the first two goals of the contest. Santa Ana rallied though and took a 3-2 lead after one. Each team traded goals in the second quarter, and went into the break with the Dons up 4-3. In the third quarter both squads matched goals, but this time it was a much more offensive eight minutes, with both teams putting in four goals each.

In the fourth frame, the Dons finally pulled away outscoring the Owls 6-2 down the stretch to claim the five point victory. In the loss, Citrus was paced by freshman Patrick Phommachanh who pumped in three goals, and freshman Charles Ortega who scored twice.

Later on in the day, the Owls took on Miramar, and this time the Owls stayed on top of their opponent throughout. Citrus quickly surged to a 6-2 lead after one quarter, and then extended it by one more point at the half, taking a 11-6 lead into halftime. In the third, Citrus didn't take their foot off the gas, going up 16-8, before cruising too that ten point victory after the third. In the win, freshman Charles Ortega scored six goals, while Phommachanh added four more.

With the win and the loss, Citrus moves to 1-1 on the year. The Owls will move to the second place bracket after Friday's efforts and start their day at 1:50 PM tomorrow afternoon.