(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 2) – The McKendree University men's water polo team is set to head west to California for a six game week starting on Thursday. The Bearcats will take on Riverside City College and the University of Redlands before competing in the Gary Troyer Invite on Friday and Saturday.
McKendree enters the week at 2-4 overall but currently carries a two game winning streak after defeating both Lindenwood and Monmouth.
The Bearcats are led offensively by sophomore
Matthew Haygood (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills High School) followed by senior
Joseph Mahan (Corinth, TX/John H Guyer High School), junior
Ben Brauer (Duisburg, Germany/Steinbart-Gymnasium Duisburg), and sophomore
Nico Rodriguez (Bogota, Columbia/Oviedo High School). Haygood leads the team with 15 goals on the season following a five goal performance against Monmouth. Mahan is close behind with 12 goals while Brauer and Rodriguez have 11 and 10, respectively.
In last year's Gary Troyer Invite, McKendree went 1-3 with the lone win coming against Occidental College.
About Riverside City College
The Tigers have a 4-5 overall record coming into Thursday. They are led by sophomore Kenny Wulf who has 23 goals on the season. Freshman Vincenzo Inguanta and sophomore Ethan Saenz also contribute on the offensive end with 16 and 12 goals respectively.
About University of Redlands
The Bulldogs sport an even 6-6 record on the season. In last year's matchup with Redlands, the Bearcats fell 17-8.
About Concordia University (Calif.)
The Eagles enter the Gary Troyer Invite with a 2-10 overall record.
About Fresno Pacific University
The Sunbirds currently have a 2-10 record entering Thursday's matchup with McKendree. The Bearcats were defeated by Fresno Pacific University during the 2018 season 19-8.
About Caltech
The Beavers enter the Invite just over .500 at 5-4 overall on the season. Junior Steven Csaposs leads the team with 27 goals while freshman Matthew Hajjar is second with 15.
About Cal Lutheran
The Kingsmen sport a 1-6 record entering the Gary Troyer Invite. McKendree was narrowly edged by Cal Lutheran in last season's matchup 13-11.
