REDLANDS, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton men's water polo completed their undefeated run at the Inland Empire Classic after upsetting 20th-ranked Air Force, 15-10, and Whittier College, 20-3, on Sunday. The Titans improved their win streak to four games, returning home with a winning 5-4 overall record.
Cal State Fullerton 15, Air Force 10
Bende Aubeli deposited a power-play goal two minutes in for an early 1-0 lead over the ranked Air Force Academy.
The Titans and Air Force kept a steady, close race through the first quarter. Togan Ozbek and Zack Ewing gave the Titans a 3-1 lead after the game was tied at 1-1.
Julian Nichols, who scored seven goals on Day One, returned to the pool as a threat, banking three goals for a 6-2 lead with 4:41 remaining in the half.
Ethan Cooney had a day, contributing four goals to the tally on five shots. At the break, Fullerton held a 7-4 lead that Cooney, Nichols, and Aubeli extended to 11-6 when play resumed.
Reese Starkey and Jacob Hatch tag-teamed a rebound play that continued applying pressure on the Air Force defense.
Alec Isaacman sent a rocket into the goal off a pass from Ewing before securing their 10-5 win.
Garrett Henderson saw all 32 minutes of play with a .500 save percentage. Of the 32 shots by Air Force, Henderson saved 10 of the 20 on goal.
Cal State Fullerton 20, Whittier College 3
The Titans came out with blazing arms, grabbing an 11-0 lead over the Poets 12 minutes into the game.
Hatch took advantage of a penalty shot while Hernandez showed quick reflexes in grabbing his own rebound and beating Whittier's goalie for a 9-0 lead.
Ozbek (3), Nichols (2), Starkey, Hatch (2), Cooney, Hernandez, and D'Angelo contributed goals during the 11-0 run.
Seth Zarn was unbeatable in the goal during this time, allowing just two goals in the final four minutes of the second quarter.
Cy Hammerstrom entered for the final 16 minutes, putting on an impressive show for those in attendance and tuning into the live stream. Hammerstrom allowed the Poets to score their third and final goal while saving six attempts.
Francisco Paredes added fuel to the fire in the second half, launching four goals (one penalty goal) into the net on six shots. His dominance, alongside Tony Benedetti, Starkey and Cooney, allowed the Titans to run away with a 20-3 victory to close out their 4-0 run at the IEC.
In four games, the newly developed program consisting of 16 junior college transfers and four first-year students recorded 83 goals, 45 more than they scored in their first five games combined.
The Titans are to make their home debut against Chapman on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7:00 p.m.
WATCH THE TITANS ON ESPN+
Titans fans can now watch every home event exclusively on ESPN+. Cal State Fullerton has built a top-tier production studio to give the viewers an ESPN quality production for all games at Titan Stadium. Additionally, all schools in the Big West Conference are committed to producing ESPN quality streams which will allow fans to watch the Titans on ESPN+ for all road conference games.
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Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) Instagram (@FullertonTitans). In addition, the water polo teams have established their own Twitter (@Fullerton_WP) and Instagram accounts (@Fullerton_WP).