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The Cerritos
College men's water polo team picked up their first
two wins on the year at the Golden West Tournament
over the weekend. But after winning a pair of games
on Friday, they suffered two losses on Saturday, the
second being a one-goal setback. With the split, the
Falcons are now 2-3 on the year and will get 11 days
off before their next match, which will be their
South Coast Conference opener at El Camino College
at 4:15 p.m. on September 23.
The team opened
the tournament with wins over Citrus (13-10) and
South Coast Conference opponent Mt. San Antonio
(10-9). It was followed with losses to the host
Rustlers (17-9) and a 7-6 result against Los Angeles
Valley College, who handed the Falcons a 14-12
overtime loss in their season-opener.
Against the Owls,
freshman PJ Gabayeron
(Cerritos HS) scored a team-high four
goals, while sophomore
Cory Baccus (Whittier HS)
finished with three goals and two assists. The
Falcons opened up a 6-4 lead after the first quarter
and held a slim 7-6 lead at intermission. But the
duo were joined by sophomore
Pat Muniz
(Santa Fe HS) and freshman
Jon Canizales (Whittier HS),
who each scored a pair of goals. In goal, the
pairing of
Justin
Calderon (El Rancho HS) and
Andrew Castro (Downey HS)
combined for eight saves.
Gabayeron drove
home five goals in the narrow win over Mt. SAC and
also posted four steals, while Baccus matched his
number in steals. Offensively, Baccus contributed a
pair of goals and assists, while Muniz also scored
twice. Calderon and Castro came up big on defense,
as they each made two steals and combined to make
seven saves.
The Falcons fell
behind early against Golden West and found
themselves in trouble, thanks to 20 turnovers and
eight ejections. Calderon had to answer for the
Rustlers, allowing nine goals without making a save,
while Castro posted seven saves and made a pair of
steals. Baccus and Gabayeron each scored twice, with
five others adding one tally.
Cerritos cut down
on the turnovers (seven), but was in a battle with
the Monarchs from the outset of the game. Baccus led
the team with two goals and two steals, while Muniz
chipped in with a goal and two steals. Gabayeron was
held without any points before his third ejection,
while Canizales handed out a pair of assists.
Calderon rebounded after his rough game against
Golden West and made seven saves.
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