Down the Middle

San Luis Obispo, CA -- After a week away from tournament action, the Citrus College Men's Water Polo team hit the pool deck on Friday afternoon for a pair of contests at the Cuesta College Tournament II. The Owls split it down the middle starting off the day with a 12-8 win over Santa Rosa Junior College, before suffering an 8-10 overtime loss to Sierra College.

In the first contest, the game would be close for three quarters. The two teams matched each other goal for goal through the first two periods, heading into the half tied at five goals each. The Owls began to pull away in the third quarter, taking an 8-7 lead into the final eight minutes. In the fourth, it was all Citrus as they outscored the Bearcubs 4-1.

Freshman Patrick Phommachanh led the way for Citrus with three goals and three assists. Freshmen Charles Ortega and Seth Adams each chipped in with a pair of scores, while Adams also notched a team high three steals in the victory.

In the second game, the two teams traded goals in the first quarter, before the Owls took a slim one goal lead in the second quarter 4-3. Citrus maintained it through the third 6-5, but the Wolverines rallied in the fourth to send the game into overtime 8-8. In the extra periods, Sierra continued their momentum swing by scoring a pair of goals in the first overtime, to secure the 10-8 victory.

Phommachanh led the way with five goals, while Ortega had three scores, a pair of assists, and a steal.

With the win and the loss, Citrus' record moves to 11-10 overall. The Owls will be back in the water at 9:40 AM tomorrow morning against Ohlone College at Cuesta, before finishing up the tournament against Cabrillo College at Arroyo Grande High School.