O'FALLON, Ill. - McKendree University men's club water polo struck down two opponents in Missouri S&T and Mizzou enroute to a spot at the Men's National Collegiate Club Championships. The Bearcats punched their ticket to the championships with an outstanding peformance last Saturday, October 16, at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.

McKendree went 2-0 in the hosted-weekend, outscoring opponents 38-9. With the wins in the region, the Bearcats earned a spot in the Men's National Collegiate Championships in Huntsville, Alabama. The championship tournament will be held at Huntsville Aquatic Center and hosted by the University of Alabama. McKendree will open up the championship tournament on November 12 at 9 A.M. 

vs. Missouri S&T
McKendree hit on all cylinders quickly to open its first weekend contest, beating the Miners 20-2. A myriad of Bearcats came out firing at the Miners with junior defender/utility Connor Pulido leading the attack with seven scores. Freshman attacker Luke Schmidt and freshman center Eli Grande were just behind the utility Pulido with five goals. The goal was guarded by two bearcats with freshmen Sterling Burleigh and Benton Fonner each playing two periods. Burleigh collected six saves while Fonner grabbed three. 

vs. Mizzou
The second match was a battle early on for the Bearcats and Tigers but McKendree slowly built a lead through the first two periods and never looking back. The goal leader for McKendree was Pulido, who fired seven goals. Pulido also led the match overall in goals scored, collecting two in the first rhee periods of the match. Following Pulido by a narrow margin was sophomore center CJ Brushwood recorded five goals with two in the second and third periods. The net was guarded by freshmen Sterling Burleigh and Benton Fonner. Burleigh started the match with four save in the first period and six in the third. Fonner grabbed four total saves with two in the second and fourth periods.

The Bearcats left the pool after the night cap with an 18-7 victory over the opposing Tigers. 

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