This fall, Chapman men’s water polo team began the season 5-1, their best start since joining Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). But, a rough stretch of games at the Rare Air Challenge in Colorado over the past weekend — and another tough loss at home — brought their record to 5-6.

However, the upside is that these losses came against other Division I schools like Iona University and United States Air Force Academy.

“Playing these really competitive teams, they just have a lot of talent, will definitely be beneficial for Chapman water polo this year in our own division in the SCIAC,” freshman strategic and corporate communication major Tommy Richards said.

Richards, an attacker on the men’s water polo team, said that the team was also dealing with external circumstances out of their control, but he was satisfied with their level of play.

“Due to the circumstances that our team wasn’t fully healthy, we were playing at altitude (in Colorado) which is a lot different than what we’re used to here, it was a big change that we just really didn’t have a lot of preparation going into (the games),” Richards said. “So overall I still think the team played as best as we could (against Division I teams), which was still very ideal in the situation we were presented.”

Adding on, goalkeeper Ben Blatt, a freshman applied human physiology major, said that their current standing is not indicative of the potential that the team holds moving forward in the season.

“I think how we play together and how we practice shows much more than just (our record),” Blatt said. “So I’m really proud to be part of this team, and I think that there’s amazing things that can come within the next four years with the freshmen group that we have at (Chapman).”

On the offensive side, junior business administration major Jake Bullock, attacker on the men’s water polo team, said that a major point of their strategy comes from capitalizing on defensive stops. 

“Eric (Ploessel) always stresses our counterattack; it starts with our good defense and then as a result countering our opponents, so our speed is what helps us leverage our game,” Bullock said. “We are one of the fastest teams in SCIAC.”

Richards emphasized the team's counterattack and speed and said that defensively the team focuses on affecting the decision making of their opponents.

“We’re a very versatile team. We’re a really fast team, and so we definitely look to counterattack (the other team), keep them on their toes, make it difficult for them to make split second decisions,” Richards said. “So we’re always playing really high up in the lanes trying to get the ball and just trying to beat them down to the other side of the pool for offense.”

Bullock said that this year’s freshman class is a huge contributing factor to the team’s ascendance, highlighting his teammate Blatt’s command of the defense.

“Ben (has) come in immediately, and I’ve seen a complete change in the way this team conducts its defense,” Bullock said. “He’s a very vocal player, and I always like working with vocal goalies because they’re going to get you to move on defense and set you up in the best position possible to stop the offense.

Blatt talked about assuming the role of starting goalie as a freshman and said while there’s pressure to perform well his teammates help him to alleviate some of it.

“They for sure ease the load (pressure),” Blatt said. “I feel like they still expect a lot from me, but they’re always pushing me forward. There’s never a down moment with them because they know that I’m trying my best every day.”

Bullock also pointed out the efforts of Richard and freshman center Daniel Franks, who assumed a starting role this season.

“Tommy Richards and Daniel Franks in particular, the two lefties (on the team), they’ve come in and they’ve been an immediate help for the entire team,” Bullock said. “Tommy and Daniel usually start on our team (in) the 4-5 (drop defense). Coming in as a freshman and having that big of an impact that early on in your career is huge.”

Overall, Blatt feels confident about the team moving forward, a team with all the experience necessary to have a great season.

“Only time will tell, but I really think this group of guys, we have a lot of talent and I don’t think we’re ever short of anything needed on the team,” Blatt said. “So I think we could really do great things, we just need to put our head down and get there.” 

On Sept. 24, the Panthers lost to the University of Redlands 10-6. They play the University of La Verne Sept. 28.