Facing some of the tougher competition in Southern California, the Cerritos College men's water polo team dropped three of their four games at the Riverside Tournament over the weekend. The Falcons, who opened with an 18-16 win over Palomar College, dropped a 13-9 decision against Los Angeles Valley College, as well as a 14-11 game to the host Tigers and then a 13-11 overtime contest against rival Long Beach City College. Cerritos (16-7) will resume South Coast Conference play on Wednesday when they host El Camino College at 4:00 p.m. at the Falcon Aquatic Center.

The loss to LBCC was the second overtime setback the team has suffered, while they already owned a 14-10 non-conference victory over LA Valley from earlier in the season.

In the win over Palomar, sophomore Christian Flores (Montebello HS) led the way with five goals, while freshman Miguel Garcia (Montebello HS) checked in with four goals. The duo of sophomore Chad Castro (Whittier HS) and freshman TJ Tigerina (Bell Gardens HS) each scored three times, with sophomore goalkeeper Michael Skinas (La Serna HS) turning away eight shots. In the loss to LA Valley, Garcia scored a team-high four goals, while sophomore Rafael Romero (Montebello HS) dished out three saves and Skinas posted 10 saves.

On the second day, the Falcons received 12 saves and two steals from Skinas, but it wasn't enough, as they team played from behind the entire contest. Garcia found the back of the net four times, while Flores and Romero each added three goals in the loss. Extended the Vikings to overtime for the second time this season, Cerritos just didn't get the key goal they needed in the extra periods. Garcia scored six times in the loss, while Skinas was called upon time after time and came away with 18 saves.