In 2003, Elaine Benditson inspired the concept and the Cal Lutheran Scholar-Athlete Society was created to acknowledge the academic achievements of CLU athletes. The institution believes it is important to give special emphasis to those students who are competing rigorously to achieve excellence in the classroom and in their chosen sport. The Kingsmen and Regals honored during the ceremony have each proven to bring equal dedication and discipline to both the classroom and chosen fields of play.

Boasting a 3.40 or higher cumulative grade point average during the academic year, the 2013 induction class was the largest in the 10-year history of the society. The inaugural class had 36 inductees.

Of the student-athletes who participated in 2012-13, 62% (307 of 493) earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Nearly 30% (144) produced a 3.5 or higher GPA. The total GPA for all CLU sports teams this year was 3.147. Offering 20 intercollegiate sports, 16 of those teams produced higher team GPAs in 2012-13 than in 2011-12. Additionally, during the fall semester 12 athletes earned a perfect 4.0.

Following the presentation of gifts to those inducted, a pair of distinguished student-athletes was recognized. Senior golfer and bioengineering major Chad Kimmelshue and senior swimmer and liberal studies major Cortney Jordan were selected by the CLU Faculty Athletic Policies Committee as the Male and Female SCIAC Scholar Athlete, respectively.

While Kimmelshue was in Florida competing at the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championships, Jordan, a two-time Paralympian and S7 American Record Holder in 17 events, took to the podium.

Going on to be an ambassador and speaker for the Paralympics, Jordan stepped up to the microphone where she engulfed the audience with a sincere and strong message. She spoke to four phenomenal points:

1. The gift of being in the moment.
2. Passion for what you are doing.
3. Focusing on teammates and how others will remember you and how you can make others feel good.
4. Never-Ever giving up!

During her speech she also touched on the notion of cherishing differences, respecting others, assuming responsibility and having no regrets.  

Cal Lutheran attracts students from all walks of life and areas of the world. Its diversity is unique and the passion that each and every student possesses is special. For many, one of those passions is sport, in turn producing amazing student-athletes for the Kingsmen and Regals year in and year out.

Scholar Athlete Society: 2013 Induction Class
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There are 178,441 DIII student-athletes as compared to 459,253 in Division I and II combined from coast to coast. Division III, however, represents the largest division in the NCAA at 40 percent of the total membership.

The NCAA sponsors 28 Championship events with 14 for men and 14 for women. There are also eight National Collegiate Championships. Overall, CLU sponsors 20 intercollegiate athletic programs, which is above the average (17) of like institutions.

Cal Lutheran is one of the 80 percent of active institutions that are private with 20 percent of DIII schools on public campuses. Across the board the average enrollment of Division III schools is 2,734.

All of the schools that fall in the Division III category are expected to promote the model of discover, develop and dedicate. CLU is right on track with that mantra by succeeding academically and athletically while giving back to the community.

In 2013 there will be CLU 147 student-athletes inducted into the Scholar Athlete Society by holding a 3.40 or higher cumulative grade point average. This number is higher than it has ever been and numerous student-athletes throughout the season have earned both Academic All-SCIAC and other sport specific academic accolades.

CLU teams have been just as successful on the field, court, course and in the pool with 10 teams earning national rankings in 2012-13. Both men’s golf and women’s water polo have held No. 1 rankings in their respective polls this year. CLU teams have claimed four Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) titles thus far with four teams and one athlete advancing to NCAA Championship play. The spring sports have much hope to increase those numbers with more than half of the teams in the hunt for a league title.

Beyond those two areas, CLU students have also taken time to give back. One example is the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) that is headed in 2012-13 by Lauren Rasmussen. She and the other SAAC members have put together a community service project in conjunction with DIII Week.

The group is scheduled to do a Ball and Old Sports Equipment Drive throughout the week of April 8-12. Items will be collected both at the Welcome Desk of the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center during all hours of operation and in the Athletics Offices during operating business hours (9-5). Additionally, SAAC members will be stationed at the flagpole on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to collect items. All donations will be delivered to the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Conejo Valley.

“The biggest thing with this event is that it is something that the SAAC wants to turn into an annual event during DIII Week and we are really excited about it,” Rasmussen said. “The connection to athletics with equipment collection, plus the opportunity to give back to the community by donating items that student-athletes are involved with competitively every day is very rewarding.”

Student Life will be sponsoring a series of student giveaways at a variety of athletic events during Division III Week as well.

Cal Lutheran sunglasses will be given out at Men’s Tennis against No. 1 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Poulson Tennis Center to kick off the weekend. On Wednesday, April 10 the water polo team will host Caltech and rally towels will be handed out at the entrance to the Samuelson Aquatics Center. Women’s Tennis fans will have a chance to claim sunglasses on Friday, April 12 when the Regals host Occidental at 2:00 p.m. At Hutton Field softball will host Redlands where seat cushions will be available for student fans at 2:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. in Ullman Stadium baseball fans can obtain a stadium cup as the Kingsmen host Whittier. Additionally, free Shave It coupons will be distributed to the first 250 students at any of the games.

Finally, the dining commons will be offering sports themed meals and snacks throughout the week, including a nacho bar, Dodger Dogs, peanuts and popcorn, BBQ Tri-Tip sandwiches and soft pretzels with cheese sauce.

“Excitement is beginning to be generated around Division III week on campus,” Director of Athletics Dan Kuntz shared. “We are looking forward to being a part of this unique campaign to promote Division III and the student-athletes we support year in and year out.”

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Adding one to the list of recipients recognized a year ago, a half a dozen Kingsmen received the accolade with senior Danny Mock becoming both an All-American and an All-Academic for the second consecutive year during his final season. It is the most awardees that CLU has produced in a single season since the inception of the intercollegiate sport in 2003.

Mock, an economics major with a minor in political science, recorded a single-season school record 266 saves in 2012. He started all 29 games for CLU this fall. Mock is a three-time All-Academic team member, two-time All-American and two-time All-SCIAC honoree.

Junior Max Zappas is another repeat recipient, becoming a three-time All-Academic team member. The small business and entrepreneurship major appeared in 28 games, starting 27 times. He had a team-leading 51 drawn ejections, which places him fourth in CLU history for a single-season. Zappas added 36 goals, 23 steals and 11 assists.

Also earning recognition in 2012 were a pair of sophomores in Graham Jameson Jr. and Nathan Ortega and the freshmen duo of Shea Craig and Billy Runyon. Both Jameson and Ortega are now repeat-recipients.

Jameson, a zoology major with a minor in theater, played in 24 games for the Kingsmen in his second season and scored 12 goals in 17 shots with eight assists.

With an undeclared major, Ortega was named a starter 25 times in 27 games played, chipping in with 15 goals, 14 assists, 25 steals and 19 drawn ejections.

Both undecided on a career path to pursue, Craig played in 28 games while Runyon guarded the cage five times. Craig scored 14 times with six assists and 13 steals in his inaugural collegiate season. Runyon blocked eight shot for CLU.  

Craig earned Superior standing, recognizing those student-athletes who earned between a 3.70-3.41 GPA while the other Jameson, Mock, Ortega, Runyon and Zappas all qualified in the Excellent category, boasting a GPA between 3.40-3.20.  

Overall 57 SCIAC water polo players were named All-Academic.

Cal Lutheran (15-14, 6-5 SCIAC) finished third in the SCIAC standings.  

Release: 2012 ACWPC Men’s Water Polo All-AcademicTeam
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Division III members passed legislation at the NCAA convention last Saturday allowing private communication with recruits through social networking sites like Facebook.

Coaches have been limited to phone calls, text messages, faxes and emails.

"There are not a lot of phone conversations that go on anymore and I don't think some kids even know what a fax is," CLU athletic director Dan Kuntz said. "Students are living and communicating in social media and I think the schools and coaches realize that. The one concern was privacy and not being intruded upon, but students are pretty savvy. When they don't want to be contacted, they know how to say not now."

Kuntz and James McHugh, the special assistant to the president for athletic affairs at CLU, represented the university at the convention in Grapevine, Texas.

Division III members considered 13 legislative proposals during the convention business session.

Along with the social media proposal, another proposal adopted was requiring confirmation of sickle cell trait status for all student-athletes no later than the 2014-15 academic year, including mandatory confirmation of status for all incoming student-athletes in 2013-14.

People with sickle cell trait have been shown to be more vulnerable than those without the trait to heat stroke and muscle breakdown when subjected to strenuous exercise under unfavorable environmental conditions.

Athletes can opt out of having the test, but will have to receive education regarding sickle cell trait status.

Given the concerns about costs, logistics and how the proposal related to other medical issues, the vote was close (254-200-15).

Not much will change at CLU as the university already required athletes to have the sickle cell trait test.

"There were a lot of conversations around this issue, but in the end it's really about the well-being of the student," Kuntz said. "If there is something we can do to help the well-being of the student, our mindset at CLU is to always do it. Our first priority is always to take better care of our students."

Kuntz said a topic he expects to be discussed in the future is establishing boundaries at the Division III level, where there are no athletic scholarships.

"Being less intrusive on students and offering a better work-life balance for the staff is huge," Kuntz said. "Division III is intended to have more restrictions because the emphasis is to allow student-athletes to be students. They need opportunities to study abroad and not have coaches on them year-round. We need to allow them to have a well-rounded experience."

Kuntz was attending the NCAA convention for the eighth time and can't wait to go back next year when it comes to San Diego.

"I think it's all fascinating because I can learn so much," Kuntz said. "There are so many good things and different ways to think about things and talk about these social issues that are in sports."

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Baldwin’s storied four-year career concluded with the first All-America nod of his career after leading CLU with 58 steals. He drew 48 ejections, scored 34 goals, dished out 28 assists and recorded 10 field blocks. Baldwin leaves with his name in the CLU record books numerous times, including for steals, now holding the third and fourth best single-season performances with 58 and 53 in 2012 and 2011, respectively. He is tied for fourth in drawn ejections in a single-season with 46 and moves into sixth with his 28 assists in a single-season. Baldwin finishes his career ranked second in career steals (184), fourth in assists (75), fourth in drawn ejections (101), and ninth in goals (88). He was a two-time All-SCIAC recipient, garnering First Team in 2012 and Second Team in 2011, for the Kingsmen.

Mock earned his second All-America recognition after being named an Honorable Mention in 2011. With his school record 266 saves, a single-season record, he concludes his four year career with 520 to rank third. He started all 29 games for the Kingsmen this fall. In addition to his blocks he was responsible for 30 steals and eight assists as the primary goalkeeper. In 2011 he recorded 189 saves, placing him fifth in the single-season record books. Mock was a Second Team All-SCIAC recipient in 2011 and was named Honorable Mention in 2012.

Novakovic earned his first All-America accolade after leading the Kingsmen with 75 goals and 15 field blocks. He added 49 steals, 22 assists and 13 drawn ejections. His 75 goals this fall leaves ties him for third in a single-season while he is also tied for fifth in a single-season with 49 steals. Novakovic will graduate with 108 career goals, in just two seasons, to rank fourth. In the fall he was named to the Second Team All-SCIAC.

Cal Lutheran (15-14, 6-5 SCIAC) finished third in the SCIAC standings.  

Release: 2012 ACWPC Men’s Water Polo All-America Team
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A trio of seniors concluded their respective Kingsmen careers with conference accolades as Carter Baldwin earned First Team All-SCIAC recognition, Dejan Novakovic landed on the Second Team All-SCIAC and Danny Mock was named as an Honorable Mention.

During his senior campaign, Baldwin led the Kingsmen with 58 steals while recording 10 field blocks. He drew 48 ejections and handed out 28 assists while scoring 34 times in his fourth season at Cal Lutheran. He leaves with his name in the CLU record books numerous times, including for steals, now holding the third and fourth best single-season performances with 58 and 53 in 2012 and 2011, respectively. He is tied for fourth in drawn ejections in a season with 46 and moves into sixth with his 28 assists. Baldwin is a two-time All-SCIAC recipient, garnering Second Team in 2011.

Novakovic was also instrumental in the success of the Kingsmen this fall. He led all CLU players with 75 goals, adding 22 assists and 13 drawn ejections. His goals scored in a single season ties him for third on the CLU all-time list. Defensively he tallied a team-high 15 field blocks and came away with 50 steals, which now ranks him fifth for a single-season total.

Starting in front of the cage in all 29 games this season, Mock merited Honorable Mention. He set a new school record with 265 saves while also coming away with 30 steals and adding eight assists as the goalkeeper. Mock will graduate as a 2011 All-America Honorable Mention and a 2011 Second Team All-SCIAC selection.

Cal Lutheran (15-14, 6-5 SCIAC) finished third in the SCIAC standings.  

In the final game of his career Carter Baldwin drew game-highs with six drawn ejections and five steals, adding a trio of assists in the win. Also appearing the Violet and Gold for the final time in a four-year career today was goalkeeper Danny Mock who turned away 14 Poets shots and grabbed three steals.

The teams were tied after the opening two periods, exchanging three goals apiece in the first frame before being knotted at 7-7 going into the intermission. CLU netted four goals in the third, allowing just two, to take a lead entering the final quarter of action and held on for the win.

Hunter Hamaker led the team with four goals while Shea Craig netted two. Michael Potter scored once and handed out three assists. Rounding out his two-year stint at CLU, Dejan Novakovic scored once for the Kingsmen. The other three goals came from AJ Franklin, Nathan Ortega and Max Zappas.

Kyle Norheim finished with a pair of steals for CLU today.

Cal Lutheran (15-14, 6-5 SCIAC) finished third at the SCIAC Championship Tournament as well as third overall in the final league standings.

The CLU offense got off to a slow start, scoring just two first half goals, and was unable to find a real rhythm. CMS opened an 8-2 lead at the break, though the Kingsmen did chip away with a pair in the third and five in the fourth.

Carter Baldwin came away with a game-high seven steals and was one of two players with two goals in the contest. Joining Baldwin with a pair was fellow senior Dejan Novakovic. The rest of the scoring was spread between five other players with AJ Franklin, Hunter Hamaker, Graham Jameson, Spencer McGrath, and Max Zappas each netting a goal.

Danny Mock guarded the cage for the entire game, finishing with six saves and three steals.

Cal Lutheran (14-14, 5-5 SCIAC) have an opportunity to finish the season over .500 with a win in the third place game against host Whittier on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 12:00 p.m.  

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CLU entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed after a 4-4 showing in the first round of action.

In the rubber match was a lot like the first one, with the Kingsmen coming away with a one-point win on the road. After falling 12-9 in the final meeting between the teams in the regular season, the Violet and Gold came back fired up and ready for revenge.

Things got off to a slow start for CLU, though, losing the first two periods by 4-2 margins and trailing 8-4 at the intermission. After the break, it was a role reversal as CLU outscored CU 4-2 in both the third and fourth quarters to force extra time.

During the first three minute period, Chapman scored once and Cal Lutheran found the back of the net twice. In the second three minute overtime the teams exchanged goals and when Kyle Norheim scored his only goal of the game with 48 ticks remaining, he locked up the win for the Kingsmen.

Hunter Hamaker led all players with six goals while Dejan Novakovic finished with a hat-trick as well. Carter Baldwin and Spencer McGrath each scored a pair and Max Zappas rounded out the scoring. Norheim drew a team leading and season-high six ejections, adding four assists to his game winning goal. Novakovic handed out five assists to lead all players while also coming away with two steals.

Danny Mock played the entire contest in front of the cage, turning away 18 Panthers shots and recording an assist. McGrath came up with three steals for the Kingsmen today.

The eight eligible teams converged in Whittier for the event, which began this morning. Caltech, though playing SCIAC games during the regular season have forfeited their right to participate in the SCIAC Tournament due to NCAA violations last year.

Cal Lutheran (14-13, 5-4 SCIAC) will play Claremont-Mudd-Scripps tomorrow, Sat. Nov 10, at 11:30 a.m. at Whittier College.

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The Leos jumped out to a 2-1 first quarter lead and added four in the second stanza to take a 6-4 halftime lead, but it was the Kingsmen who made adjustments in the second half. CLU outscored ULV 8-2 over the final two quarters to earn the win, which evened both their overall and SCIAC records at 13-13 and 4-4, respectively.

Playing the whole game in front of the cage, Danny Mock turned away 14 Leopards shots, adding three steals and a pair of assists. Defensively Max Zappas recorded a game-high five steals while Carter Baldwin and Kyle Norheim finished with four apiece.

The offense saw four different players turn in multi-goal games. Senior Dejan Novakovic led the team with four scores. Zappas would turn in a hat-trick of his own while both Baldwin and Norheim tallied two goals. Hunter Hamaker rounded out the scoring for CLU.

Cal Lutheran (13-13, 4-4 SCIAC) will be off for nine days after drawing a bye on the final day of the regular season Saturday at which time seedings will be available for the 2012 SCIAC Tournament hosted by Whittier on Nov. 9-11.

In the morning at home the Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-2 first quarter lead and never looked back. Cal Lutheran threatened in the second, pulling the score to 7-5 at the intermission, but a scoreless third from the home squad left CLU too far back for a come-from-behind senior day thriller.

Cal Lutheran got two goals apiece from AJ Franklin and Max Zappas while Shea Craig, Hunter Hamaker and Spencer McGrath each netted one as well.

Mock made eight saves in his final start at the Samuelson Aquatics Center.

This afternoon, facing the No. 1 Trojans, Cal Lutheran was outscored 21-9 despite a valiant effort from the Violet and Gold against some of the top scholarship players in the nation.

USC took a 4-1 first quarter lead and opened a 9-1 advantage at the break. The Kingsmen would come back with five goals in the third, but allowed six in both the third and fourth quarters, adding just a trio in the final frame.

Novakovic scored a hat-trick while Hamaker netted a pair. Baldwin, Franklin, McGrath and Kyle Norheim each scored once as well.

Mock manned the cage for three and a half quarters, turning away five USC shots before giving way to Baerg who made two saves in the final 4:25 of action.

Cal Lutheran (12-13, 3-4 SCIAC) will be back on the road Wednesday, Oct. 31 when they travel to La Verne to close out the regular season at 4:00 p.m.     

All 18 players who were dressed saw playing time in the pool today.

Dejan Novakovic got the scoring started with a goal on the second CLU possession of the day and the Kingsmen never looked back. Spencer McGrath, who tied teammate Graham Jameson with a game-high four goals, scored back-to-back goals in the first quarter to open a 3-0 lead. The second of his pair came by way AJ Franklin playing tough defense, forcing a shot clock violation just cross mid-pool to get the ball back. He and McGrath quickly took off on a 2-on-1 to go up 3-0.

Caltech took a timeout and were able to find the back of the net for the first time of the game immediately out of that team huddle.

CLU came back with goals from Kyle Norheim and Hunter Hamaker on assists from Nathan Ortega and George Hong, respectively, before McGrath added an unassisted score to close out the first period with a 6-1 lead. Danny Mock blocked two shots and had a steal as the starting goalie.

In the second quarter, Billy Runyon took over in front of the CLU cage where he played the second and third stanzas, recording four saves.

Cal Lutheran won the sprint and Ortega netted his first of a trio in the game. Three of the next four goals came from Jameson with the last one coming on an assist from Cesar Velazquez. Also scoring for the Kingsmen in the second was Mike Potter who grabbed a rebound off a blocked shot by Ortega and shot behind his back for the goal.

After the intermission the teams combined for just three third quarter goals. Hamaker found the back of the CIT cage for his second of the game at the 6:24 mark before McGrath added to his tally with one on the ensuing CLU possession.

Matt Baerg took over the goalkeeping duties at the start of the fourth quarter. The senior blocked a pair of shots.

In the final frame the offense did not let up, outscoring Caltech 6-2.

Franklin passed across the pool to Baldwin who scored early in the fourth before Novakovic put the Kingsmen up by 10 at 15-5 with 5:42 remaining.

Shea Craig got in on the scoring on an assist from Jameson. After an Ortega score, Craig returned the favor with assists on the final two goals of the game. He acted as the middle man on a Derek Heino to Craig to Jameson passing pattern that ended with a behind the back score from Jameson before Heino netted the final goal of the game for CLU. Caltech would add another pair before time expired.

Defensively the Kingsmen stepped up as a unit. Both Baldwin and Hamaker had a pair of field blocks while Derrick Graham and McGrath each added one with a steal. Craig and Novakovic had two steals apiece.

Overall Jameson and McGrath finished with four goals apiece while Ortega finished with three. Also adding two-goal games were Hamaker and Novakovic. Craig, Graham, Franklin and Ortega had two assists apiece.

Cal Lutheran (12-11, 3-3 SCIAC) will play for the final time of the fall at home in the Samuelson Aquatics Center on Saturday, Oct. 27 when they host Redlands at 11:00 a.m. The seniors will be recognized prior to the start of the game.    

CLU opened a 3-2 first quarter lead and never looked back, leading 8-5 at the intermission and outscoring the Stags seven to six in the final half.

Senior Dejan Novakovic recorded his third six-goal game of the season in the win. Also earning a hat-trick was Hunter Hamaker who scored three times. Both Carter Baldwin and Spencer McGrath netted a pair while AJ Franklin and Kyle Norheim found the back of the net as well.

Franklin would go on to add a couple of assists and Mike Potter finished with two assists as well. Nathan Ortega not only gave the Kingsmen three man-up situations with three drawn ejections, but he added a game-high four steals.

Danny Mock finished the game with three steals, adding 14 saves as the CLU goalie throughout the contest.

Cal Lutheran (11-11, 2-3 SCIAC) will be back at the Samuelson Aquatics Center on Wednesday, Oct. 24 to host the Caltech Beavers at 4:00 p.m.   

WC opened an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter and the Kingsmen were never able to recover. In the second stanza CLU netted five of its eight goals, holding Whittier to four to trail by just one goal at halftime.

It was the Poets who powered through the final two quarters with five combined goals to the CLU three.

Both Dejan Novakovic and Carter Baldwin scored hat tricks with three goals apiece while Spencer McGrath was responsible for the final two of the game.

Cal Lutheran (10-11, 1-3 SCIAC) stays on the road for a Saturday, Oct. 20 showdown with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 11:00 a.m. Earlier this fall CLU defeated CMS, 12-11, in a double overtime thriller at the UC Davis Aggie Shootout.  

In the morning, without senior captain Carter Baldwin, the Kingsmen failed to find a rhythm and despite only trailing by a goal at the half, the game belonged to the Panthers.

Chapman won the opening sprint and although the CLU defense shut down Chapman as the possession ended with a field block by Dejan Novakovic, CU opened up a 3-2 lead after the first period.

Cal Lutheran got on the board by way of Kyle Norheim at the 4:18 mark with the second goal coming from Nathan Ortega, after great ball movement on a 6-on-5 situation, culminating with a back door goal on a pass from George Hong.

Each team added two in the second. Novakovic scored on a pass from AJ Franklin and after a pair of Panthers goals to push their lead to 5-3, a CU timeout allowed the Kingsmen to set up their offense. Max Zappas found the back of the net on an assist from Spencer McGrath to pull within one at 5-4.

After the intermission, Chapman netted three unanswered goals to double up the Kingsmen at 8-4.

Shea Craig led the Kingsmen offense. His took a strong shot at the cage that was blocked, but he recovered the rebound and punched the ball into the net for his first of three goals in the game. Hunter Hamaker got in on the action before Craig scored his second of the half on a pass from Norheim in a man advantage. The rookie would add a third goal at the 4:54 mark in the fourth while McGrath rounded out the scoring with 2:44 to play in regulation.

Norheim led CLU with three assists and four drawn ejections while McGrath and Franklin handed our two assists apiece. McGrath finished with three drawn ejections and Hong and Zappas each tallied two.

Defensively Novakovic added six steals to his field block and McGrath added a field block to his line as well. Franklin, Hamaker and Ortega each grabbed two steals in the loss. Danny Mock played the entire game in goal, blocking three shots.

The afternoon game saw CLU explode for 14 first half goals en route to a 20-8 victory, notching their fourth 20-goal game this fall.

While 11 different players found the back of the net, it was Hamaker who paced the offense with five goals followed by Hong and Novakovic with three apiece. Franklin, Hong, Novakovic, Ortega, Potter and Derrick Graham each handed out a pair of assists. Hamaker drew five of the eight drawn ejections for the Kingsmen in game two.

Mock made six saves and Billy Runyon blocked one shot while each grabbed a steal in three and one quarters in front of the cage, respectively. Novakovic came away with a trio of steals and Franklin, Norheim, Ortega and Graham Jameson had a pair apiece. Hong and Novakovic both added a field block as well.

Cal Lutheran (10-10, 1-2 SCIAC) will be on the road Wednesday, Oct. 17 when they travel to Whittier to face off with the Poets at 4:00 p.m.

Teams exchanged goals in the first half with Max Zappas scoring on an assist from Nathan Ortega before PP equalized with 1:53 to play. Danny Mock came up with four big saves in the quarter.

The second stanza belonged to the Sagehens, but not due to lack of opportunities for Cal Lutheran. PP posted three goals while CLU mustered up just one from Dejan Novakovic with five seconds to play in the period. CLU trailed 5-2 at the break.

After the intermission AJ Franklin won the sprint to start the third, but the Kingsmen were unable to capitalize on the early possession. A pair of quick PP goals increased the deficit for the Kingsmen.

Just under the six minute mark, Carter Baldwin found the back of the net. CLU then drew an ejection and was able to convert the 6-on-5 situation into a goal by way of Spencer McGrath, which cut the Sagehens lead in half. A five meter shot by Novakovic skipped into the upper left corner of the cage for the fifth goal of the game for the home squad, making it 8-5.

Pomona-Pitzer responded with goals on their next three possessions, the final one coming on a shot that skimmed off a CLU defender to skip into the back of the net.

Ortega came back on the offensive end with a goal with just over a minute to go for the final scoring play of the third, leaving the Sagehens ahead at 11-6 entering the final frame.

Early in the fourth Franklin won a steal and though his lob shot caught the cross bar, Mike Potter was there to punch the ball into the net. Franklin then assisted Novakovic as CLU scored on the ensuing possession, pulling it to 11-8.

Things continued to go the right way for the Kingsmen who used another 6-on-5 for a goal. With 4:12 to play Baldwin found Hunter Hamaker in the center for the score. Then at the 2:26 mark Baldwin recovered a rebound off the cage and pulled the Kingsmen within one at 11-10.

Unfortunately, PP quickly added one for a two-goal advantage. Although CLU drew an ejection as they forced a shot clock violation with 28 seconds remaining, the Kingsmen were unable to find the back of the net on that man advantage.  

CLU produced 11 drawn ejections with Zappas tallying five and Baldwin earning three. Hamaker drew a pair as well.

Novakovic scored a team leading three goals while Baldwin added a pair. Both Franklin and Ortega finished with two assists.

Defensively Novakovic had four steals. Baldwin and Franklin each had two. Hamaker and Ortega each recorded a field block today. Mock played all four quarters in front of the cage, blocking 10 shots.

Cal Lutheran (9-9, 1-1 SCIAC) will be back in the pool on Saturday, Oct. 13 for a pair. In the morning the Kingsmen will face off with SCIAC foe Chapman at 11:00 a.m. before rounding out their day with a 4:00 p.m. showdown with the Connecticut College Camels.  

Senior Dejan Novakovic paced the offense again with his second six-goal game of the fall. His first score of the day came following a steal and a fast break with the next two coming by way of five-meter opportunities. Both Carter Baldwin and Max Zappas added four goals and drew four ejections while Spencer McGrath and AJ Franklin scored a pair apiece. Baldwin led all players with both five assists and four steals. McGrath tallied four assists.

Nathan Ortega got things started in the opening period as the Kingsmen took a 5-3 lead. Franklinscored twice, the first coming on a 6-on-5 situation on a pass from Derrick Graham before he closed out the quarter with a goal on a pass from McGrathafter CLU executed great ball movement.

The second stanza saw each team score three times. Baldwin stepped up, scoring the seventh CLU goal on an assist from Max Zappas before drawing an ejection to set up a Novakovic five-meter shot, which was the ultimate winning goal.

Washington & Jefferson reeled off three unanswered goals to finish out the half.

To start the third Novakovic drew his only ejection of the game and Zappas found the back of the net in the man-up opportunity. On another 6-on-5, Baldwin scored the 10^th goal of the game. He then handed out an assist to McGrath. After Washington & Jefferson took a timeout, Baldwin squashed their offensive plan of attack with a steal that led to another CLU score.

On the next possession, Baldwin fired off a laser shot, that caught the cross bar, landed in the hands of Mike Potter, who pitched it out to McGrath to finish off the play with his second of the game. CLU added another goal in the third, but more notably, the period ended with a solid defensive stop by the Kingsmen as Franklin came up with a steal as time expired.

The final frame began with the Kingsmen winning their fourth sprint of the game. With just over four minutes to play CLU executed another great defensive stand when, in a man down situation, they forced the Presidents into a shot clock violation.

Novakovic netted his final goal of the game on an assist from Baldwin to give CLU a 17-7 lead before Carter found the back of the net himself on the ensuing Kingsmen possession.

After a Cal Lutheran line change, Graham Jameson put the Kingsmen at the 20-goal mark. The final play of the game saw Cesar Velazquez steal the ball from the Presidents. He found Derek Heino open at the other end of the pool, where he added one final blow to the thrashing.

Danny Mock played the entire game in front of the cage, blocking 11 shots. Franklin and Graham each finished with two steals. Additionally, CLU tallied a pair of field blocks, from Novakovic and Zappas.

When CLU and UCI met to close out the tournament, the Anteaters controlled the momentum from the get-go.

The Kingsmen were held to a lone goal in the opening half. Novakovic was responsible for the score in the second quarter. CLU trailed 9-1 at the intermission.

At the 2:11 mark in the third, George Hong was able to take advantage of a man-up situation. CLU moved the ball well, using most of the shot clock before Hong fired away at the bottom left corner of the cage. On the ensuing Anteaters possession, Baldwin earned a steal for CLU. A quick Violet and Gold timeout gave the Kingsmen a chance to set up a play. Unfortunately, the lob shot did not work for Cal Lutheran. A little over a minute later, however, the lob did drop for Jameson, who shot from set on a pass from Graham for the third for the Kingsmen.

CLU limited UCI to three third quarter goals, trailing 12-3 entering the final eight-minute period.

Billy Runyon came in to man the cage for the fourth. Norheim recorded a field block and when the ball went back towards the UCI goal, McGrath finished off the play with the fourth CLU goal of the game.

Minutes later another CLU steal was followed by a drawn ejection and concluded with a tip in from Hunter Hamaker. The defense stepped up for the Kingsmen on the next play when Runyon came out of the cage for a steal. At the UCI end of the pool Hamaker passed to Baldwin who added the final goal for CLU.  

Hong and Zappas each drew a pair of ejections. Norheim finished with a pair of field blocks and Mock made six blocks.

Cal Lutheran (9-8) returns to SCIAC play on Wednesday, Oct. 10 when the Kingsmen host Pomona-Pitzer at 4:00 p.m. at the Samuelson Aquatics Center in the first contest of a three-game home stand.  

In the morning CLU jumped out to a 5-1 first quarter lead and built it up to 10-3 halftime advantage. In the third, the Kingsmen shut out the Lions, 7-0, before winning the final frame 3-2 for the 20-5 total, pushing their win-streak to six.

Dejan Novakovic continued his offensive tear with four goals against Penn State Behrend. Both Nathan Ortega and Hunter Hamaker recorded hat-tricks as well, while Mike Potter and Max Zappas each netted a pair.

Ortega drew a game-high five ejections while Novakovic came up with five steals.

In addition to scoring once, Derek Heino tallied four assists and a pair of steals. Cesar Velazquez scored his first collegiate goal in the contest. Overall, 11 different players found the back of the net in the game.

The Kingsmen defensive effort carried over from Thursday afternoon as CLU allowed just over a goal a period. Danny Mock recorded four saves in three quarters of action before Billy Runyon matched Mock’s total in the final frame.

Game two pitted the Kingsmen against the Gaels.

Though the teams were knotted at 3-3 after one period and 5-5 at the intermission, a second half surge by Iona was too much for CLU to overcome.

Novakovic again led the attack with three goals and was the only player for Cal Lutheran to register more than one score.

Mock made three saves in front of the cage for CLU.

Overall, Novakovic finished the day with seven goals, while Ortega tallied four and Zappas had three. Kyle Norheim added one goal in each game today.

Cal Lutheran (8-7) will conclude the Gary Troyer Tournament Saturday, Oct. 6 when they play Washington & Jefferson and UC Irvine at 11:20 a.m. and 3:20 p.m., respectively. Both contests will take place at the La Verne Aquatics Center.

CLU jumped out to a 5-1 first quarter lead and built it up to 10-3 halftime advantage. In the third, the Kingsmen shut out the Lions, 7-0, before winning the final frame 3-2 for the 20-5 total.

Dejan Novakovic continued his offensive tear with four goals against Penn State Behrend. Both Nathan Ortega and Hunter Hamaker recorded hat-tricks as well, while Mike Potter and Max Zappas each netted a pair.

Ortega drew a game-high five ejections while Novakovic came up with five steals.

In addition to scoring once, Derek Heino tallied four assists and a pair of steals. Cesar Velazquez scored his first collegiate goal in the contest. Overall, 11 different players found the back of the net in the game.

The Kingsmen defensive effort carried over from Thursday afternoon as CLU allowed just over a goal a period. Danny Mock recorded four saves in three quarters of action before Billy Runyon matched Mock’s total in the final frame.

CLU will be back in the pool tonight at 5:40 p.m. when they play Division I Iona at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps’ Axelrood Pool.

The teams opened up scoring goal-for-goal. Spencer McGrath got things started and Dejan Novakovic also found the back of the net in the first quarter. CLU capitalized on a fast break by George Hong, which set up Kyle Norheim who pump faked before lobbing the ball into the top right corner of the net to knot things up at 3-3 with four seconds to play in the opening stanza.

CLU controlled the second quarter, scoring a pair while holding the Lancers off the board. The first came from set when Max Zappas, who was being targeted all half, spun and fired off a behind the back shot that gave CLU a 4-3 edge. McGrath fed Zappas the pass and was credited with the assist.

Novakovic added to the lead late in the quarter when he converted a five-meter shot into the fifth Kingsmen goal of the game. CLU led 5-3 at halftime.

After the break the Lancers cut the deficit to a goal, but CLU still had a 7-6 edge entering the final frame.

Carter Baldwin had a pair of steals on back to back Mercyhurst possessions in the third and then drew an ejection to set up the 6-on-5 for CLU with 3:48 to play. Though the Kingsmen were unable to convert it, Baldwin did spark the next Cal Lutheran score. As the shot clock wound down at the 2:00 mark, he fired off a shot that caught the cross bar, but Derrick Graham was there to punch the ball into the back of the net for the goal.

Zappas added his second behind the back goal in the quarter as well. Mercyhurst countered with a goal in similar fashion.

CLU, however, clung to that one-goal advantage after the first 24 minutes of action.

The final period saw just one more score, which came by way of Novakovic, who recorded a hat-trick to lead all players.

Zappas was the only other player with multiple goals today. Hong handed out a pair of assists while Novakovic and McGrath also each dished one out.

Zappas and Hunter Hamaker each drew a pair of ejections for the Kingsmen. CLU finished with eight as a team.

Defensively, the Kingsmen stepped up.

“Any time you can hold a team to six goals, with three in the first quarter, it is a good day,” head coach Craig Rond said after the game.

Baldwin finished with four steals to lead the squad, while McGrath added three. Novakovic and Nathan Ortega came away with two steals apiece as well. Additionally, CLU had a pair of field blocks with both Ortega and Kyle Norheim recording one.

In front of the cage, Danny Mock made 13 saves and also grabbed a loose ball for a steal.

The victory pushes the CLU win-streak to five.

Cal Lutheran (7-6) travels to the Claremont Convergence Tournament, which has been renamed the Gary Troyer Tournament, this weekend. CLU will play Penn State Behrend and Iona at 11:00 a.m. and 5:40 p.m., respectively. Both games on Friday will be played at the Axelrood Pool on the campus of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.