LA MIRADA, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine men's water polo team received two goals apiece from both Harry Bentham and Jacob Stuart as well as nine saves from goalie Tanner Powell in Wednesday's conference opener against Biola.

Unfortunately for the Golden Eagles, the hosts fended off their comeback bid to secure a 13-8 victory.

Sam Diamond won the sprints in the first two periods to give CUI the first possession.

Stan De Mey fed Harry Bentham for Concordia's first goal of the contest on a sweet one-timer. Powell also came up with multiple saves in the opening period to keep CUI within striking distance.

Bentham scored again off a sweet pass from Sam Diamond to cut the deficit to 4-2 early in the second quarter.

Oscar Garcia Blomback caught the Red and Black by surprise before halftime with a no-look shot after Leo Erickson dumped the ball inside to him.  That helped the Golden Eagles claw within 7-3 by intermission.

In the third, Diamond was able to score on an outside shot and freshman Jace Peterson also converted a penalty shot to make it 9-5. Leo Erickson later scored on a difficult angle close to the goal to make it 11-6 later that period.

Both keepers played solid down the stretch in a defensive final quarter that only featured a handful of goals to round out the scoring.

CUI plays three more games and an exhibition later this week at the Lancer Invite hosted by California Baptist University.  On Friday, CUI will face UC Merced at 10:00 a.m. before playing No. 10 Loyola Marymount over in Riverside.

After an exhibition match Saturday with Cuesta College, which is a two-year school, the Golden Eagles will also tango with Westcliff to close out the weekend.

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