Redlands Men’s Water Polo Tops CUI, Drops Air Force Match at CSUF Invite

By David James Heiss

Redlands News Collective

Photo by Adrian Wright

Oliver Finley, as seen in a match last year, was the most consistent offensive and two-way generator across the tournament. He posted 6 total points (tied for 7th), 3 steals (tied for 4th), and scored in key moments — including back-to-back goals in the third period against Air Force and insurance goals against Concoria University.

FULLERTON — Following a hard-fought 15-8 road battle against No. 16 California Baptist University on Thursday, the University of Redlands men's water polo team bounced back to split a pair of matches at the CSUF Invitational on Friday. The Bulldogs opened tournament play with a 10-7 victory over Concordia University Irvine before falling 19-10 to receiving-votes Air Force Academy.

Thursday Recap: No. 16 California Baptist 15, Redlands 8 Facing their sixth NCAA Division I opponent in seven games, the Bulldogs (1-6) hung tough with the 16th-ranked Lancers through the opening half.

Trailing early, Redlands cut the deficit to 3-2 in the first quarter with back-to-back goals from Honolulu freshman Nick Davidson — off an assist from Laguna Niguel senior Tanner Stagner — and Glendora junior Michael Villagran. Stagner added a final-minute tally to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance at 4-3 at the end of the first period.

Arlington, Virginia, junior Joseph Madigan snapped a seven-minute scoring drought in the second quarter, but CBU scored as time expired to take a 7-4 lead into the break.

The Lancers extended their run with four unanswered goals before sophomore Camilo Solis, of Camarillo, capitalized on a third-quarter power play and Bakersfield junior Johnny Starr added another to pull Redlands within 10-6.

CBU closed out the game on a 5-2 run, despite fourth-quarter tallies from senior Adam Lambert, of St. Louis, and Yucaipa freshman Blake Minkler. Sophomore goalie Septime De Bonnafos, of Marseille, France, played all 32 minutes, recording three saves and two steals.

Photo by Christopher Ramirez

Sophomore keeper Septime De Bonnafos was the most consistent offensive and two-way generator across the tournament. He posted 6 total points (tied for 7th), 3 steals (tied for 4th), and scored in key moments — including back-to-back goals in the third period against Air Force and insurance goals against Concordia University Irvine.

Game 1: Redlands 10, Concordia University Irvine 7 In their second meeting in a week, the Bulldogs (2-7) secured the win over the Golden Eagles behind an elite defensive performance from De Bonnafos, who turned away 17 of 24 shots on goal.

Lambert scored twice in the opening quarter and Minkler added a third to give Redlands an early 3-1 lead, with senior Oliver Finley, of Capetown, South Africa, and Madigan and Villagran providing assists. Sophomore Ossie Joplin, of Kentfield, California, added a goal before halftime to hold a 4-2 lead.

After trading goals in a six-goal third quarter — highlighted by two tallies from Stagner and one from Madigan — Alameda freshman Zach Dortch took control in the fourth, scoring back-to-back goals to put the match away at 9-5 with 4:05 remaining. Finley capped the scoring in the final two minutes. Eleven different Bulldogs recorded a point in the balanced victory.

Game 2: Air Force 19, Redlands 10 In the tournament finale, Starr opened the scoring off a Finley assist in the first minute, but Redlands suffered an eight-minute scoring drought before Finley scored early in the second.

The teams combined for 11 goals in an explosive second quarter, with Davidson and Lambert combining for three Bulldog tallies. However, Air Force capitalized on a late defensive lapse, scoring five goals in the final 2:49 of the period to take a 12-5 halftime advantage.

Redlands rebounded defensively to start the second half, holding the Falcons scoreless for the first three minutes of the third quarter. Finley scored twice in the frame, and Stagner set up El Cajon senior Jake Simpson for the Bulldogs' eighth goal. Dortch and Ramona sophomore Brady Bailey added fourth-quarter goals, with Pasadena junior Stephen Ramirez assisting on Bailey’s strike.

Statistical Leaders & Up Next Through their two matches at the CSUF Invite, several Bulldogs placed near the top of the tournament leaderboards:

• Septime De Bonnafos: 1st in save percentage (.567), 3rd in saves (17)

• Tanner Stagner: T-2nd in assists (5), T-5th in points (7)

• Zach Dortch: T-3rd in field blocks (2)

• Oliver Finley: T-4th in steals (3), T-7th in points (6)

• Jake Simpson: T-4th in steals (3)

• Adam Lambert: T-9th in goals (4)

Redlands gets a week off before returning home on Saturday, Sept. 19, to host Golden West College at the Thompson Aquatic Center at noon.