Box Score IRVINE, Calif. – Practically two years have passed since the CUI men's water polo team last played a regular season game.

Players have graduated, new Eagles have joined the squad, and the Green and Gold have been through a lot of adversity over the past few months.

On Saturday, the Eagles started anew by putting together a complete performance against Redlands for a 17-11 victory over on the campus of UC Irvine.

The brother tandem of Giorgi Khizanishvili (four goals) and Shako Khizanishvili (two goals) combined for a huge chunk of the CUI offense.  Jeff Runyan also net four scores and both Shaine Sargis and Christian Bowley added two goals apiece.

Bowley was the only Eagle that had actually played in a game for CUI before this weekend.  CUI opted out of the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 health and safety precautions.

New goalie Hunter Osgood made his presence felt between the pipes with nine clutch saves.  When he stopped a penalty shot in the second half, you could feel the energy ratchet up a notch on the CUI bench as the Eagles clamped down defensively down the stretch.

VIDEO: CUI's Osgood talks about giving the team a boost when he could on Saturday

CUI led 9-7 at halftime, but pulled away with six goals in an impressive third quarter performance. The Eagles did not allow a goal in that third period and cruised from there.

VIDEO: CUI's Runyan reflects on an emotional and fulfilling day in the pool that was a long time coming.

Austin Wade, Andrew Dimino and Jacob Stuart each added a goal to help the cause. Goalie Tanner Powell also made his debut in relief of Osgood in the second half.

CUI returns to action next week when they head to UC San Diego for a Thursday night game and then to the Inland Empire for a tournament hosted at multiple locations which includes Claremont and La Verne.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's water polo schedule.