Panthers Display Resilience at Dia de Los Muertos Tournament

The Chaffey College men's water polo team competed at the Dia de Los Muertos Tournament this past weekend and faced some of the strongest programs in Southern California.

In Friday's opener, Chaffey fell 16–11 to host Southwestern College after a fast start and an evenly played first half. The Panthers built a 3–1 lead in the first quarter behind goals from Vincent Garibay, Baron Gonzalez, and Parker Black. Garibay converted unassisted midway through the first, Gonzalez scored off a feed from Gabriel Zarate Ayala, and Black capped the quarter on an assist from Gonzalez. Black finished with four goals, while Garibay added two goals and Andrew Hinojosa scored once. Goalkeeper Nolan Hanson recorded multiple saves against heavy pressure, and Gonzalez and Aiden Kelley were active defensively in disrupting the Jaguars' counterattack.

Later that afternoon, the Panthers faced Orange Coast College and fell 20–3 against one of the top-ranked defensive teams in the state. Mario Nikolovski put Chaffey on the board in the second quarter off a pass from Garibay, while Garibay and Gonzalez each added goals in the second half of the match. Goalkeeper Adam Kirkpatrick made five saves in goal, and Zarate Ayala and Evan Fleming provided strong defensive support.

On Saturday, Chaffey continued tournament play against Saddleback College, showcasing perseverance in a 21–1 defeat. The Panthers tightened their defensive structure after the first quarter, with Hanson and Kirkpatrick combining for 10 saves. Black scored midway through the fourth on an unassisted effort, while Gonzalez, Zarate Ayala, and Nikolovski led ball movement through the frontcourt. Meza and Wendell McIntosh contributed defensively, working to contain Saddleback's counterattacks.

In their final match of the tournament, Chaffey battled Palomar College in an 18–7 setback that featured one of the team's most complete first halves of the season. The Panthers opened with a 3–0 run on goals from Gonzalez, McIntosh, and Black before the Comets rallied to take the lead. Chaffey kept pace through the second quarter with goals from Garibay, Black, and Zarate Ayala, and Nikolovski added the final goal of the game in the fourth quarter off a Gonzalez assist. Hanson was busy in the cage and recorded 17 saves.

The Panthers will now prepare for the South Coast Conference Championship Tournament at Cerritos College on Thursday, Nov. 6. Chaffey will face El Camino College at 10:15 a.m.