(CLAREMONT, Calif., Oct. 4) – The McKendree University men's water polo team began competition in the Gary Troyer Invite on Friday afternoon with contests against Concordia University and Occidental College. The Bearcats fell to Concordia 17-11 and Occidental 14-11.
 
McKendree moves to 3-7 overall on the season. The Bearcats will be back at it on Saturday in the Gary Troyer Invite against Caltech and California Lutheran University.
 
The Bearcats fell behind early in the 17-11 loss to Concordia. The Eagles opened the game with a three goal run. Junior Pedro Osorio (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon High School) scored to end the opposing run. Concordia answered right back to push the lead back to three but sophomore Matthew Haygood (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills High School) countered. The Eagles rattled off three consecutive goals but senior Joseph Mahan (Corinth, TX/John H Guyer High School) netted his first just before the period was over. Concordia led 7-3 after the opening period.
 
Concordia held the Bearcats to just one goal in the second period. Freshman Tristen Clue (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills High School) was able to net the lone goal for McKendree. The Eagles continued to dominate offensively, adding in another seven goals to lead 14-4 at the half.
 
The Bearcats found their offense rhythm in the third period, exploding for six goals. Junior Jesus Osorio (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon High School) opened the door with a goal before his brother Pedro Osorio (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon High School) went on to score three goals in the period. Junior Adrian Maher (Keller, TX/Keller High School) and Haygood each scored a goal in the period. McKendree's defense found a way to hold Concordia to two goals but remained behind 16-10.
 
P. Osorio mustered the lone goal for McKendree in the fourth period. Concordia added four more goals to take the 20-11 win over the Bearcats.
 
In the game against Occidental, the Tigers held McKendree scoreless through the first period. Occidental led 4-0 after the opening eight minutes. Sophomores Tony Sunagawa (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills High School) and Josh Carlson (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln Way West) managed the only two goals for the Bearcats in the first half and trailed 8-2.
 
McKendree found the back of the cage three times in the third period. Haygood, Clue, and Carlson netted the goals for the Bearcats. The Tigers continued their pace with another four goals in the period. Occidental carried a 12-5 lead into the final period.
 
The Bearcats caught fire in the last period, scoring six goals. Junior Andrew Serrano (Riverside, CA/Martin Luther King High School) kick off the run 20 seconds into the period. Mahan scored two goals in the period while P. Osorio, Carlson, and senior Izaya Owotor (Portland, OR/David Douglas High School) netted one goal in the period. McKendree's defense stifled Occidental, holding the Tigers to two goals. The late rally wasn't enough as Occidental won 14