Sept. 13, 2009
REDLANDS, Calif. - Junior attacker Cory Lyle finished a counterattack opportunity with 1:30 remaining in the first sudden-victory to lift 17th-ranked UC Davis to a 10-9 win over Redlands in the first of two Sunday games in the Empire Classic men's collegiate water polo tournament. The Aggies later completed a 4-0 performance at the tournament with an 11-5 win over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in Sunday afternoon's action.
UC Davis improves to 4-1 for the season, and 4-0 against members of the Western Water Polo Association.
Attacker Matt Richardson initiated the transition for the Aggies, advancing the ball to freshman Anders MacCarthy who in turn assisted a wide-open Lyle for the game-winner. Lyle scored his team's lone hat trick against RU, while Ryan Hagens and MacCarthy each added two goals.
UC Davis took a 3-0 lead through the first quarter, but fell behind by a 4-3 margin at the halftime break and an 8-6 deficit entering the third. However, the Aggies battled back with two goals in the fourth to force the overtimes.
"You can't simulate this in practice," said UC Davis head coach Steve Doten. "The guys came out prepared but got behind in the second. Coming back from two goals down and winning is something I can't plan, but it's a great learning opportunity for the guys."
Richardson, Carlos Martinez and freshman Colin Hicks accounted for the other three UC Davis goals. Sophomore Kevin Peat posted 10 saves in net.
The Aggies never trailed in their afternoon victory over CMS, leading 5-1 at halftime and 9-1 through three periods. Lyle scored two more goals against the Sagehens, giving him five for the day and a team-best eight scores for the tournament. Richardson completed a hat trick, while Jim Breen, Kevin Meisel, Russell Hampton, Jared Clapham, Matt Wylder and Kevin Driscoll each added one goal.
Junior Erik Quinn earned the goalkeeping nod against CMS, tallying seven saves.
UC Davis returns to action against a nationally ranked field at the NorCal Tournament, hosted by Stanford on September 19-20.
EMPIRE CLASSIC WATER POLO TOURNAMENT (Redlands/La Verne, Calif.)
| #17 UC Davis (3-1) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | - | 10 |
| Redlands | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 9 |
GOALS - UC Davis: Cory Lyle 3, Ryan Hagens 2, Anders MacCarthy 2, Matt Richardson 1, Carlos Martinez 1, Colin Hicks 1. RU: not available.
GOALIE SAVES - UC Davis: Kevin Peat 10 (39:30). RU: not available.
| #17 UC Davis (4-1) | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | - | 11 |
| Claremont-Mudd-Scripps | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | - | 5 |
GOALS - UC Davis: Matt Richardson 3, Cory Lyle 2, Jim Breen 1, Kevin Meisel 1, Russell Hampton 1, Jared Clapham 1, Matt Wylder 1, Kevin Driscoll 1. CMS: not available.
GOALIE SAVES - UC Davis: Erik Quinn 7 (32:00). CMS: not available.
