Men’s Water Polo: Rio Hondo takes two at Cerritos tournament

Daniel Mendez and Travis Wisher both totaled six goals each as the Rio Hondo College men's water polo team went a perfect 2 for 2 in a pair of non-conference games on Friday at the Cerritos College mini tournament in nearby Norwalk.

The Roadrunners started the day with a 13-9 victory over Palomar and edged San Diego Mesa College 11-10 to close out the tourney. The wins improved Rio Hondo to 4-10 overall.

Rio Hondo 13, Palomar 9
Mendez and Wisher both scored three goals each in the win over Palomar, but it was Jacob Ayala who had the big game with four goals to lead the Roadrunners.

Rio Hondo held a narrow 6-5 lead at halftime before outscoring Palomar 8-4 over the final two quarters, including 5-1 in the third, to pull out the win.

Hennessey Avila posted 10 saves in goal for the Roadrunners.

Rio Hondo 11, San Diego Mesa 10
Rio Hondo took a commanding 6-2 lead at halftime but had to withstand a San Diego Mesa rally in the second half. Pablo Segura's goal with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winner.

Mendez and Wisher both scored three times each while Daniel Lozano and Segura had two goals. Avila totaled six saves for the victory.

Rio Hondo returns to South Coast Conference action on Wednesday (Oct. 3) when the Roadrunners travel to Mt. San Antonio College for a 4:30 p.m. game.