SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: College/Professional

Where are they now?

Southwestern's Chris Lopez searches for a passing lane in Sept. 14 game against visiting Miramar College.

College water polo

Southwestern 14, Miramar 8

CHULA VISTA, Sept. 14, 2004 -- The Southwestern College men's water polo team took a step forward following Tuesday's Pacific Coast Conference victory against visiting Miramar College. The Jaguars' 14-8 victory marked the first league win in two years under the guidance of head coach Jefi Harper and the team's first home win in that same span.

The Jaguars' only victory last season came in tournament competition.

"We need to put together four solid quarters to get more wins," Harper said.

Southwestern was repeatedly burned on counter-attacks in a 16-3 season opening loss to two-time defending conference champion Grossmont. The Jaguars were much more at home in the water against a slower Miramar team and did not lose their composure despite trailing 3-2 after the opening quarter.

Southwestern caught up briefly at 4-4 on a pair of unanswered goals by Adnan Younis before falling three goals behind the visitors. A goal by Aaron Romero with one second left before halftime seemed to give the Jaguars renewed momentum as they went into the break trailing by two goals, 7-5.

The Jaguars' superior conditioning (and lack of a bench by Miramar) paid off in the second half as Southwestern outscored Miramar 9-1.

Goals by Younis and Chris Lopez to start the third quarter tied the game for the Jags. A run of six unanswered goals put Southwestern in front, 11-7. Lopez scored just 10 seconds into the fourth quarter to give the Jags a 10-7 lead and Gerardo Maristela added a goal to push the host's advantage to four goals.

Mike Sensenbaugh, Miramar's big two-meter set, trimmed the Jaguars lead to 11-8 on a goal with 4:10 to play in the game but SWC promptly reeled off three consecutive goals to close out the victory, including a shot by goalie Roberto Sandoval that found the cage at the opposite end of the tank as the final buzzer sounded.

Younis, who led the Jaguars with six goals in the game, is the only significant returning player. Harper said the newness of the team was part of the reason for the slow start against Grossmont.

"They're still sorting it out. They haven't played together as a team. They come from different programs -- some good, some not so good. They're just now coming together. They clicked in this game. In some cases, some of the guys haven't played in a while and they're still rusty," Harper said.

Lopez scored two goals while Karl Kyler, Oscar Urrutia and Bryan Flitcraft each scored once for SWC, which received 21 saves from Sandoval.

Harper said key players this season include Younis, Urrutia and Sandoval along with two left-hand shooters in Lopez and Flitcraft.

The Southwestern women's team is off to a 1-5 start to the season, with the one victory coming by forfeit after Miramar decided not to field a team this season. Harper said she will be looking for leadership from from Kelle Waggoner to the lead the team this season.