Owls Falter in SoCals

Walnut, CA - The Citrus College Men's Water Polo program saw it's 2015 season come to a close on Friday afternoon when they faced conference rival Los Angeles Valley College in the second round of the 2015 CCCAA Southern California Regionals. The Owls dug themselves an early hole and never recovered in a 17-11 loss to the Monarchs.

The trouble started early for Citrus as they failed to convert on an early 6 on 5 opportunity and break-a-way. Valley meanwhile was clicking on all cylinders and quickly went up 6-1 after the first quarter. The Owls would show a brief flicker of life in the second quarter as sophomore Jonathan Lotero scored to make it 6-2, but the Monarchs continued to maintain control of the game eventually outscoring Citrus 3-2 in the quarter for a 9-3 lead at the break.

In the second half, things didn't get any better. LA Valley kept their foot on the gas and outscored Citrus 5-3 in the third. The Owls would outscore the Monarchs 5-3 in the fourth and final quarter, but it was mostly in garbage time with the game well out of hand.

Freshman Daniel Velazquez paced the Owl effort with five goals, two assists, and a steal. Lotero added three scores, while freshman Mark Naranjo had a team leading three assists, and sophomore Mark Cordts a team best three steals. Sophomore goalie Brad Thomson rounded out the statistical highs with seven blocks and a pair of steals.

With the loss, Citrus' season comes to a close with a 21-7 record.