Finishing up a week where the Cerritos College men's water polo team played eight games in five days, the team took on the Division I powerhouse Naval Academy on Sunday and dropped a 16-9 decision. The Falcons (7-7), who hosted the game at Downey High, will now resume South Coast Conference play on Wedmesday at 4:15 p.m. when they host rival Long Beach City College.

So far this season, Cerritos has played five games against Division I opponents and lost all five, but gained a great deal of experience against bigger, faster teams. The Midshipmen (9-12), who was struggling through a 10-game losing skid, have 21 players from California and were received well by the fans who crammed the pool area for this rare treat.

Sophomore Miguel Garcia (Montebello HS) led the Falcons with three goals, three assists and three steals, as the team fought to stay close against their bigger opponents, who broke a close 6-5 game at halftime with a strong second half. Navy was led by Jack Finch and Carl Dowzicky with four goals each, with Robert Sutherland accounting for three goals.

Sophomore TJ Tijerina (Bell Gardens HS) also accounted for three goals, with freshman goalkeeper Alfredo De La Mora (Bell Gardens HS) posted seven saves. Navy goalie Garrett Sabesky turned away 15 Cerritos shots in the contest.