(RIVERSIDE, Calif., Oct. 3) – The McKendree University men's water polo team kicked off its six game week with Riverside City College and the University of Redlands on Thursday. The Bearcats started the day with a 15-7 win over Riverside City before traveling to Redlands, losing 17-11.
 
McKendree moves to 3-5 overall on the season. The Bearcats will continue competition in California on Friday against Concordia University (Calif.) and Occidental College.
 
In the Bearcats 15-7 victory over Riverside City College, junior Adrian Maher (Keller, TX/Keller High School) and sophomore Matthew Haygood (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills High School) led the offense with three goals apiece. Senior Joseph Mahan (Corinth, TX/John H Guyer High School), juniors Ben Brauer (Duisburg, Germany/Steinbart-Gymnasium Duisburg), and Jesus Osorio (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon High School) each netted two goals in the win.
 
Sophomore Nico Rodriguez (Bogota, Columbia/Oviedo High School) facilitated the attack with three assists. Haygood and Osorio each recorded two assists.
 
The Bearcats scored the opening goal against Redlands after freshman Tristen Clue (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills High School) found the back of the cage. The Bulldogs answered back with two goals to take the lead. Mahan briefly tied the game at two before Redlands countered back with two more goals. Clue net his second goal of the contest in the first period but McKendree trailed 5-3.
 
McKendree maintained consistency in the second period as the two teams matched their first period offense. Senior Izaya Owotor (Portland, OR/David Douglas High School) notched back to back goals to cut into the Bulldog lead. Rodriguez put the ball in the back of the cage just 35 seconds before halftime. At the half, McKendree trailed 10-6.
 
The offense found the back of the cage four times in the third period and Redlands stayed consistent with five goals. Mahan scored three times in the period to lead the charge. Haygood and Rodriguez recorded the goals for the Bearcats. McKendree head into the final period trailing 15-10.
 
The Bearcat offense was stifled in the fourth period as they were held to a single goal. McKendree's defense stepped up slowing the Bulldog offense to just one goal. Mahan net the final goal for the Bearcats, bringing his game total to four