IRVINE, Calif. – You could make the case that a season's worth of highlights happened in Saturday's contest against Fresno Pacific.
When it was all over, the Concordia University Irvine men's water polo team celebrated Senior Day in style by emerging with a 13-12 victory over the Sunbirds in sudden death overtime.
Jeff Runyan scored the game-winning goal for the Eagles on a five-meter penalty shot to clinch the victory in exciting fashion.
Shaine Sargis drew the penalty and the score came after CUI trailed by one with under 45 seconds to play in the second overtime.
Runyan also tallied the game-tying goal to make it 12-12 after
Jacob Stuart surprised the FPU defense and forced a turnover at a critical time to set up CUI's scoring opportunity.
CUI seniors
Christian Bowley and
Andrew Dimino were honored before the game as part of CUI's Senior Day tradition. The duo fittingly connected for a goal in the first half when Bowley found Dimino with a beautiful pass to help the Eagles draw even 2-2 before the end of the first period.
Dimino won every single sprint in the game to improve on his conference-best win percentage in the sprints. By helping CUI get the first possession in every period, that proved to be huge in a contest that was so close the entire afternoon.
VIDEO – CLICK HERE for Andrew Dimino's take on the epic win on Senior Day
The speedy swimmer also helped out goalie
Hunter Osgood in overtime when Dimino raced back to the cage and fended off a potential go-ahead goal for FPU that extended the contest.
VIDEO – CLICK HERE to see how Christian Bowley described the crazy outcome on Senior Day
True freshman Jacob Staurt continued to impress with a game-high four assists and two goals. His six points led CUI and he now leads the team in recorded assists with 17 on the season. Stuart and Runyan combined for a couple connections in the second period to keep the Green and Gold on track.
Callin Chimilar added two clutch goals, while
Austin Wade and
Harry Nixon also tickled the twine once.
Osgood collected seven saves to help the cause and earn his eighth win of the year.
The Eagles will play their final regular season game at Pomona-Pitzer this coming Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. before turning their attention to the upcoming WWPA Tournament which will be hosted by UC Davis.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's water polo schedule
