Stockton, Calif. - Golden West men's water polo team returned from Delta College's tournament winning 3 out of 3 games. The men then tested their skills against the University of the Pacific, where the Tigers edged out the Rustlers 12-14, but before they left the San Joaquin Valley, Golden West defeated Cuesta College 11-8.
The men first faced off with host, Delta College with freshman Bendeguz Toth scoring the first goal of the game, leading the Rustlers in scoring, with four goals. Golden West's lead grew to 7-2 by the end of the first half. The rustlers rolled through the third quarter, stretching their lead 9-3 then holding Delta scoreless in the fourth. Bryse Knowles covered the net for six blocked shots. The final score was 12-3 and Golden West moved on to their next opponent.
The Rustlers found the back of the net 19 times before the end of their game against Sierra College. Gabriel Goncalves and Ciaran Wolohan led the way with three goals each, while Fabio Mendes, Keauno Martinez, Reed Cotterell and Toth each added a pair. The Rustlers also received goals from Josh Hueth, Jeremy Grden and Aaron Polk. The Rustlers defeated Sierra College, 19-8.
Modesto College was up next, and they faced the difficult challenge of getting the ball past Marcelo Dalsilva. Dalsilva put up six blocked shots for the game, and Rustler defense held the Pirates scoreless in the third quarter. Golden West finished the day with a 14-2 victory over Modesto.
At the University of the Pacific, the Rustlers held their own against the NCAA team. The No. 5 Pacific started the first quarter scoring 7 to Golden West's 2. Itai Cohen was put to work in the net for Golden West agains the university team, posting four saves. The Rustlers, determined to narrow the gap, recovered to 7-9 at the end of the first half. The teams then matched goal for goal in the third quarter, but the Rustlers could not pull ahead, the game ended in a close 11-14.
The weekend finished with an 11-8 victory over visiting Cuesta College. Toth again led the Rustlers in scoring, along with Mendes and Dalton Kenefick who added two goals a piece. Hueth, Goncalves, Michell Holden and Cotterell each chipped in one.
Next: The men travel to Cuesta College, September 18-20th for more tournament play.
