Men’s Water Polo on Three-Game Winning Streak

By David James Heiss

Redlands News Collective

Photo by Alan Barcenas

Bulldog anchor: Goalkeeper Septime De Bonnafos played 64 consecutive minutes across back-to-back victories over Occidental and La Verne, making 18 total saves.

The University of Redlands men’s water polo team stretched its winning streak to three games following a 14-9 victory over host University of La Verne on Oct. 10.

Redlands improved to 7-10 overall and 3-1 in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play.

On Oct. 7, the Bulldogs cruised past Occidental College 14-6 at home. Visalia senior Matthew Wheeler led the offense with four points on four assists. Senior Oliver Finley, of Cape Town, South Africa, added three points on a goal and two assists. Senior Adam Lambert, of St. Louis, matched Finley’s line of a goal and two assists while adding three steals. Honolulu freshman Nick Davidson also posted three points on a goal and two assists.

Sophomore goalkeeper Septime De Bonnafos, of Marseille, France, made six saves and recorded a steal while playing all 32 minutes.

Photo via University of Redlands Athletics

Freshman center Christian Newberry forced two drawn exclusions.

In Saturday morning's victory at La Verne, El Cajon senior Jake Simpson opened the scoring just 12 seconds into the match on a power play. Simpson added a second goal later in the contest and drew two exclusions.

Nine different Bulldogs found the net against La Verne: Redlands senior Lennon Franklin, junior Joseph Madigan, of Arlington, Virginia, Camarillo sophomore Camilo Solis, Finley, Lambert, Alameda freshman Zach Dortch, Laguna Niguel senior Tanner Stagner, and Glendora junior Michael Villagran.

Freshman center forward Christian Newberry, of Huntington Beach, also forced two drawn exclusions.

De Bonnafos played the full 32 minutes in goal for the second straight match, making 12 saves and adding a steal.