Chaffey Falls in Fourth-Quarter Push by Cal Tech

The Chaffey College men's water polo team battled throughout four quarters but fell 17-10 to Cal Tech in their home game at the Aquatic Center on Tuesday afternoon. Despite a strong start and a late surge, the Panthers couldn't overcome the Beavers' second-half scoring run.

Chaffey opened the first quarter with three straight goals from Parker Black, including two set-ups from Nolan Hanson and Gabriel Zarate Ayala, and one unassisted strike to establish an early lead. Wendell McIntosh added a goal in the second quarter, but Cal Tech responded with a series of conversions to carry a 6-4 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, Zarate Ayala and Baron Gonzalez brought the Panthers back even at 6-6, combining for a goal and assist. Cal Tech, however, answered with four consecutive goals to regain control heading into the final frame.

The Panthers fought back in the fourth, as Black scored twice more and Vincent Garibay netted back-to-back goals in the closing minutes to level the score at 10-10. Cal Tech closed the period with a decisive seven-goal run to secure the win.

Black finished with a team-high five goals, while Garibay tallied two. Gonzalez, Zarate Ayala, and McIntosh each added one goal, highlighting balanced offensive contributions. In the cage, goalkeepers Hanson and Adam Kirkpatrick combined for 11 saves, keeping Chaffey within reach through three quarters.

The Panthers will shift their focus to tournament play, competing at the Cypress College Invitational on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6. Chaffey's opening game is scheduled for Friday at 11:30 a.m. against Cerritos College.