Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Concordia freshman
Harry Bentham scored a career-high five times and
Harry Nixon chipped in with three goals to lead the offense against No. 16 California Baptist University on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles also received an impressive performance from
Connor McElwee who finished with five goals over the course of two games on Saturday at the Lancer Joust hosted by CBU.
After facing off with the nationally-ranked Lancers, Concordia also battled Westcliff in a rematch from earlier this season that included former CUI star Patrik Zsiros who is now a graduate student with the Warriors.
No. 16 CBU 17, CUI 11
Concordia played extremely well in the first half and made the nationally-ranked Lancers look very uncomfortable in the first dozen minutes of the match. The two teams were deadlocked 2-2 at the end of the first period thanks to goals by Nixon and Bentham.
Sophomore
Jacob Stuart scored early in the second period to put CUI up 3-2 on a power play. CUI was able to coax some early exclusions and also fended off a couple of initial scoring chances for CBU.
However, the tables turned right before halftime as the Lancers scored six unanswered to take a 8-3 lead into intermission. The second half was pretty even between the two sides but that second period surge is what proved to be the difference make for the Lancers.
Concordia also received stellar play from starting goalkeeper
Hunter Osgood and
Connor McElwee.
Osgood came up with nine saves and McElwee scored twice after earning the starting nod.
Westcliff 16, CUI 9
In the second game of the tournament for Concordia, the Golden Eagles saw McElwee find the back of the net three more times.
Freshman
Leo Erickson and Stuart also scored two goals apiece to help the Green and Gold.
However, Zsiros also connected for multiple goals against his former school to help the Warriors jump out to a 9-2 advantage. It would prove to be too much to overcome for the short-handed Golden Eagles who rallied but were unable to completely dig out of that early hole.
Next up for Concordia are two WWPA conference games on the road. The Golden Eagles head out to Fresno Pacific next Saturday, Oct. 15 before visiting UC Davis.
The next home game for CUI is an exhibition contest on Wednesday, Oct. 19 against Saddleback College.
CLICK HERE for the updated CUI men's water polo schedule
