Hosting El Camino College in their South Coast Conference opener at the Falcon Aquatic Center on Wednesday, the Cerritos College men's water polo team turned in a strong defensive effort on their way to a 13-3 win. The victory by the Falcons improves their overall record to 4-1, with the team heading down to the San Diego Mesa Tournament this weekend for four games.

Cerritos took down the Warriors (1-2, 0-2) with a solid defensive effort that helped them get out to a 4-0 first quarter lead. After it got to within 5-2 in the second quarter, the Falcons put the game out of reach by scoring six consecutive goals, which included a 5-0 third period.

Sophomore Raul Muniz (Colbach, Mexico) scored two of the team's four goals in the first period, while five different players scored in that convincing third quarter. Sophomore Arturo Ortuno (Universidad la Salle, Mexico) slowed down the El Camino comeback with a goal six seconds after the Warriors made it 5-2. That goal, with :25 seconds left in the first half, and then his goal :49 seconds into the third quarter, started the Falcons six consecutive goals streak that secured the win.

Seven different players scored for the Falcons, while the team employed three goalkeepers on the day. Muniz and Ortuno paced the team with three goals each, while sophomore Jake Evans (Long Beach Wilson HS) and freshman Will Alwine (La Quinta HS) each scored twice. Ortuno recorded three of the Falcons 13 steals on the day, with freshman goalkeeper Zachary Jenkins (La Serna HS) recording eight saves and one assist in his two quarters of action.

Photos by Daryl Peterson