M. Water Polo: Cerritos drops three of four at tournament

File Photo: Dominic Hernandez scored 13 goals over the four tournament games
File Photo: Dominic Hernandez scored 13 goals over the four tournament games
Continuing to play the toughest schedule in the state, the Cerritos College men's water polo team took part in the two-day Golden West Tournament over the weekend. On the first day, the Falcons suffered losses to both Saddleback College (14-7), ranked #6 in the state and to #5-ranked Los Angeles Valley College, 16-10. They came back the second day to defeat Northern California schools, San Joaquin Delta College (13-4) and finished with a 17-14 loss to Sierra College. Next up is their final South Coast Conference match on Wednesday at El Camino College.
 
Cerritos vs. Saddleback: Trailing from the outset, the Falcons could not battle back and watched the Bobcats score multiple goals before their response. In the first quarter, freshman Kobe Hurtado (Cerritos HS) ended a four-goal run, while a tally from sophomore Sebastian Rico (Montebello HS) stopped a five-goal Bobcats streak which extended into the second quarter. It wasn't until the fourth quarter before Cerritos could score multiple goals, as they accounted for the final three in the game. Sophomore Emiliano Cuara (La Habra HS) scored twice for the Falcons, while sophomore Dominic Hernandez (Schurr HS) assisted on a pair of goals.
 
Cerritos vs. Los Angeles Valley: Both teams came out swinging, as 10 goals were scored in the first eight minutes, as the teams were tied, 5-5. Hernandez accounted for three of the goals and scored all three goals in the second quarter, as the teams went into halftime tied, 8-8. However, coming out of halftime, the Monarchs scored five of the six third period goals, as the Falcons went cold. The team was outscored, 8-2 in the second half and suffered the loss. Hernandez finished with six goals and assisted on three others, with sophomore Axel Pedroza (California HS) assisting on three goals. Freshman Anthony Alonso (Warren HS), who has taken over in goal due to the injury to sophomore Rene Borja (Schurr HS), recorded six saves in the match.
 
Cerritos vs. San Joaquin Delta: Taking on the Mustangs, the Falcons came out and scored the first nine goals of the game, with six different players getting on the scoreboard. Their pressing defense helped create their offensive success, as the team registered 20 steals in the game. Sophomore Daniel Benitez (Paramount HS/Westcliffe University) led a balanced scoring attack with three goals, with freshman Ruben Montoya (La Serna HS) turning in a season-high six steals to go along with one goal. Ten different players posted at least one steal, with Alonzo making eight saves in the win.
 
Cerritos vs. Sierra: Against the Wolverines, the Falcons trailed the entire way, as they offensive-minded game left room for few mistakes. Trailing, 6-3 after the first period, the teams traded goals throughout the second quarter until Cerritos received goals from Silvestre Chavez (Downey HS) and Hurtado to get to within, 9-8. But Sierra scored the final two goals of the half for a three-goal lead. It was more of the same in the third period, when they traded goals, with Sierra scoring the first and last goals over the eight-minute period. Offense was at a minimum in the fourth quarter with Cerritos shutting out the Wolverines, but could only score once. Hernandez posted six goals and drew a season-high seven exclusions, while a trio of players scored two goals each. Chavez, who had two goals, also assisted on three others.