The Concordia University Irvine men's water polo team returned to action Saturday playing two games in the Inland Empire Classic.  The Eagles fought hard in both games, registering 57 shots on the day, but were unable to see their hard work pay off on the scoreboard, losing both games.

Game One:

Patrik Zsiros and Marius Jakimcikas combined for seven goals but that was not enough to propel the Eagles to victory, as they fell to the Athenas of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 12-9.  The Eagles were even with the Athenas after the first quarter and were down just two at half time.  

Unfortunately for the Eagles, the second half was a pretty even fight.  The Athenas finished the game with goals from seven different players, getting assists on nine of their twelve goals.  

Cullen Mooers finished the game with eight saves, coming up with some timely saves throughout the morning.  He and the Eagles looked to regroup for their second game of the day against the 49ers of Long Beach State.  

Game Two:

The second game of the day had the Eagles squaring off against the No. 7 ranked team in the country.  Long Beach State came out firing on all cylinders, blanking the Eagles in the first quarter on the way to taking a 9-1 lead into the half.  The second half was more of the same as the Eagles fell by a final score of 19-4.

Although it was a rough game for the Eagles, Patrik Zsiros scored two more goals, bringing his total for the day to five.  The Eagles did not back down, continuing to fight until the final whistle.  

The Eagles are back in the pool Sunday as they take on the No. 1 team in the country, USC at 1:00 p.m. followed by a date with La Verne.