Sept. 21, 2008

STOCKTON, Calif. -- The 13th-ranked Navy water polo team struggled in key parts of both games on Saturday at the NorCal Tournament, falling to sixth-ranked Loyola Marymount, 9-4, and 15th-ranked Santa Clara, 11-8. The losses drop Navy's record to 7-6 overall, heading into Sunday's second day of action.

In the first game of the day and Loyola Marymount, the Mids originally lost, 8-4, but filed a protest following an illegal ruling on a substitution late in the first period. The protest was upheld and the game was picked up later in the day, tied 2-2, late in the first quarter. The teams headed into halftime tied at 4-4, but the Lions outscored Navy, 5-0, in the second half for the 9-4 victory.

"As has been the story all season, we play well in stretches, but then make some very costly errors that really hurt us," said Navy head coach Mike Schofield. "We just have to play better, plain and simple."

Michael Mulvey, Kyle Wertz, Johnny Meiners and Kevin Bell each scored one goal for Navy. Brett Rajchel stopped five shots in goal.

In the second game, Navy fell behind 7-3 at halftime, and couldn't overcome the deficit in an 11-8 setback to 15th-rated Santa Clara.

"We just didn't play with enough energy, especially in the first half," said Schofield. "We continue to get ejected at an alarmingly-high rate, and just aren't doing the right things defensively. We are playing like we expect to be handed success, instead of making our success."

Chuck Baker netted three goals and Mulvey scored twice. Rajchel made eight saves in the nets.

Navy will play Air Force on Sunday morning at 9:20 am (PT), then will face either Cal Baptist or UC Davis in the 13th or 15th-place game.

# GO NAVY #