O'Fallon, Ill. - McKendree University men's water polo is enjoying competing at home for the first and only time in the 2023 season as they are the hosts of the Western Water Polo Association championship.
McKendree 17, Fresno Pacific 16 (OT)
On Friday, McKendree who is seeded No. 2 in the east division took on the No.3 West seeded Fresno Pacific Sunbirds to kick off the tournament. The Sunbirds and Bearcats proved to be two very evenly matched teams, ending the first half with a close score of 9-7 in favor of the Sunbirds. McKendree found an offensive surge in the third quarter, outscoring Fresno Pacific 5-2 to take the lead 12-11.
In quarter four, the Bearcats trailed the Sunbirds by one with 1:30 left to play. A penalty goal from senior Breno Tebet knotted the score at 15-15 with a minute left to play. One last-chance shot from Tebet was just off the mark with under 10 seconds to play in regulation, and thus began the two three-minute overtime periods. With five seconds to play in the first overtime period, Tebet found freshman center Yannick Robertson who sank the goal for the lead.
In the second overtime period, Andrew Duncan from Fresno Pacific tied the game at 16-all with 30 seconds to go. The Bearcats pushed the ball down the pool and into the hands of freshman Isaac Demski who found Robertson for the winning goal at 24 seconds left. McKendree advanced to the semifinal game against No.1 West seed Biola on Saturday.
Other Friday Results
No.2 West Concordia Irvine 15, No.3 East Gannon 12
No.1 West Biola 25, No.4 East Mercyhurst 6
No.3 East Gannon 16, No.3 West Fresno Pacific 14
Biola 15, McKendree 12
On Saturday, No.2 East McKendree competed against the No.1 West seed Biola in the semifinal round of the tournament.
The Bearcats fell into a quick 7-2 hole after the first and 11-6 at halftime. Beginning the third quarter McKendree outscored Biola 4-2 but it was too little, too late as they both scored four a piece in the final quarter. Freshman Yannick Roberston led the scoring duties with three, also tallied two assists and a steal. Junior Jespyn Bishop recorded a team high 5 assists and registered a goal as well.
Despite the loss the Bearcats will play again on Sunday, Nov.19 at 10:00 a.m against Salem University for third place at the WWPA championships.
Other Saturday Results
No.3 East Gannon 22, No.4 East Mercyhurst 17
No.2 West Concordia Irvine 14, No.1 East Salem 11
No.3 West Fresno Pacific 18, No.4 East Mercyhurst 10
