Owls Ousted by Orange Coast

Glendora, CA -- The Citrus College Men's Water Polo team made their first appearance in the CCCAA Southern California Regionals for the first time in over a decade on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately for the Owls they were ousted by #5 Orange Coast College 16-14.

Citrus dug themselves into an early hole, as the Pirates scored the first three goals. The Owls rallied with back to back scores by freshmen William Martinez and Jonathan Lotero, but Orange Coast scored twice more before the end of the first quarter to put the Owls down 5-2.

The Pirates stretched their lead in the second with two more scores, before the Owls close the half with three of the final for scores, one by freshman Robert Renteria and the others by sophomores Eugene Lee and Charles Ortega. At the break, Citrus trailed 8-5.

In the third, Orange Coast really stretched out their lead outscoring the Owls 5-2 and taking a 13-7 lead after three. The Owls would rally in the third scoring four of the final five goals of the game, but it was too little too late as they fell by two.

In the loss, Citrus was paced by Ortega who scored six goals and handed out three assists. Renteria scored three times had an assist and a pair of steals, while freshman goalie Drake Santos had three assists, a steal, and stopped nine shots.

With the loss, Citrus' season ends with a 20-8 record.