Rustlers Split Double-Header with Mexican National Team

Huntington Beach, Calif. - Golden West men's water polo  (15-3, 2-0 OEC) split a double-header weekend faceoff against the Mexican National Team.

10/7/2023 vs Mexican National Team, 14-9

Held at Golden West Aquatics Center, the Rustlers hosted the Mexican National team for two games on Saturday, October 7th. The defensive battle saw both teams fight to find the net throughout the matchup. By the end of the first quarter, Golden West held a two score lead on the Mexican National Team. However in the second quarter, the Rustlers were kept scoreless as the visitors tacked on two goals to tie the game. 

Tied at half, the Mexican National Team outscored the Rustlers by two in the third quarter to lead, 7-9.Golden West exploded in the final frame as the offense scored seven goals and did not allow any further scores from their opponent. The Rustlers would go on to take the first game, 14-9. Tomas De Luca scored three times off of eight shots and assisted three times. Alec Johson was tied for most goals on Golden West as he also scored three times. 

10/7/2023 vs Mexican National Team. 8-15

The second game brought much of the same but without a late game push from the Rustlers. Similar to the first matchup, Golden West would end the first quarter with a lead, 4-2. The home team would go scoreless yet again in the second frame as the Mexican National Team took a 3-7 lead into half. Though the Rustlers would chip away in the second half, their efforts were not enough to catch up to their opponent on the scoreboard. 

Golden West dropped the second game against the Mexican National Team, 8-15. Tomas De Luca scored the most goals for the Rustlers with three off of 11 shots. Cooper Weins scored a goal and also stole the ball twice from the Mexican National Team.

NEXT UP: The Rustlers will continue their conference schedule as the team will host Orange Coast on Wednesday, October 11th. The match will begin at 3pm.