Men's Water Polo opened the 2022 Cuesta II Tournament with wins over both Las Positas and #5 Saddleback by the identical score of 16-8.  The Cougars opened with Las Positas in a re-match from the season's opening day.  Cuesta beat the Hawks, 22-9, to start the season and also cruised to victory today. Ten different Cougars, including a game-high three goals from Freshman Driver Noah Gniffke, scored in the game.  In the nightcap, Cuesta, ranked #3, faced 5th-ranked Saddleback in a contest filled with post-season consequences.  Both teams pushed each other in the first quarter, with Cuesta taking a slight edge, 3-2.  In the second quarter, the Cougars used their fastbreak to reset the pace of the game and outscored the Bobcats, 6-2, to carry a five-goal lead into the intermission.  Saddleback made some halftime adjustments and the two teams were even in the next quarter, however the Cougars' maintained their five-goal advantage.  Cuesta finished off the game with another strong quarter, 4-1, to complete the day.  Once again, ten different scorers found the back of the nets for Cuesta, including six boasting multi-goal games.  Gniffke joined 2021 All-WSC Center Johnny Northcutt with a team-high four goals on the day, however six different Cougars scored in both games.   Cuesta's record is now 18-4 on the season.

The Cougars complete their Cuesta II Tournament with two more games scheduled for tomorrow.  The Cougars play San Diego Mesa (9:20) and #14 Diablo Valley (2 PM).