Owls Look to Bounce Back as They Host Riverside Tournament at Home

Citrus College Men's Water Polo fell to 3-10 overall after a challenging stretch of three straight losses — a 22-12 setback to Cerritos College and a 22-10 loss to San Diego Mesa during the Cerritos College Mini Tournament last Friday, October 3, followed by a 21-7 home defeat to Los Angeles Valley College on Wednesday, October 8. 

In the opening game against Cerritos, Morrison Villa led the offense with five goals on 10 shots and added two assists. Trace Faskell contributed four goals, four assists, three drawn exclusions, and two steals, while Liam Ross added three goals, three assists, three drawn exclusions, and a steal. In goal, Jason Nonis tallied 10 saves on 32 shots faced. 

Against San Diego Mesa, Ross paced the Owls with five goals on nine shots, along with four assists, three steals, five drawn exclusions, and a block. Faskell added three goals, three assists, four steals, and one drawn exclusion, while Villa chipped in two goals, two blocks, and a steal. 

In Wednesday's matchup against LA Valley, Ross, Villa, and Faskell each found the back of the net twice, while Ethan Gregory added one goal. On defense, Johnston, Gregory, Ross, and Mario Garcia each recorded two steals. Nonis faced 29 shots, finishing with eight saves, one assist, and a steal. 

The Owls will now turn their attention to the Riverside City College Men's Water Polo Tournament, which will be hosted at the Citrus College Aquatics Center on Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11, due to pool maintenance at RCC. Citrus will open tournament play against Grossmont at 9:10 a.m. before facing Long Beach City at 11:30 a.m. On Saturday, the Owls will take on Saddleback at 9:10 a.m. and close out the weekend with their Sophomore Day Game versus Riverside City College at 11:30 a.m.