POMONA, Calif. – McKendree men's water polo competed in the Gary Troyer Invitational playing four games over the weekend. They faced off against United States Air Force Academy, California State at Fullerton, Fresno Pacific University, and Occidental College. 

Starting off the weekend the Bearcats played the Air Force Falcons where the Falcons flew into a 12-5 halftime lead. Despite a 5-1 quarter in favor of McKendree, the fourth quarter saw the Air Force flip the script outscoring the Bearcats 6-1 and resulting in a 19-11 loss for Mckendree. Senior Breno Tebet led the way with three goals, and freshman Isaac Demski and Yannick Robertson each scored two goals respectively. 

The second game of the day saw a similar start as the Bearcats fell into a quick 5-1 hole against the California State at Fullerton Titans. The halftime lead for the Titans amounted to 10-3, and despite outscoring Cal State Fullerton in the second half, the Bearcats fell 13-7. Senior Adam Serrano scored two goals for McKendree to lead the charge.  

On Saturday, the Bearcats dove back into the pool and played a tightly contested match against Fresno Pacific University. In what was an even match from the start, the Sunbirds proved to be reciprocal of the Bearcats making for a tied 4-4 game after the first quarter, 8-7 McKendree at the half, and 11-all going into the fourth quarter. With one minute left in the fourth quarter and trailing by a goal, sophomore Justice Lamboy tied the game at 15 apiece after an assist by Tebet. After the final minute of regulation and the game still tied, it came down to overtime.  

After two scoreless overtimes, Robertson's late game heroics in sudden death gave the Bearcats a 16-15 win over the Sunbirds. Robertson scored four goals total and added an assist as well. Serrano added three goals in the victory. With three other players scoring two goals, this led to McKendree's first win in school history over Fresno Pacific University. 

To close out the weekend McKendree played Occidental College in a game that started off close but saw the second half slip away. Despite being tied 6-6 at the half, the Tigers poured in nine second-half goals to McKendree's one. Roberston once again scored four goals giving him 14 total on the weekend.  

The Bearcats are now 5-9 on the season and will jump back in the pool for the Salem Conference Weekend Invitational Saturday, Oct. 28 through Monday, Oct. 30.