Cuesta Men's Water Polo entered the first day of the 42nd Cuesta Invitational riding high after defeating 2019 CCCAA State Champion Golden West, 11-9, in a pre-tournament game on Thursday.  The Cougars walked into the first game of the tournament and delivered a sound thrashing to perennial playoff team American River, 22-3, but the easy victory allowed the Cougars a little too much comfort when they ended the day against 2019 CCCAA Runner-up Long Beach.  The Vikings, who had previous lost to Golden West, put themselves back in contention by jumping out to a five-goal lead mid-way through the 3rd quarter.  The Cougars pulled climbed back into the game and pulled within a goal, before falling, 13-11.  It appeared the never say quit Cougars simply ran out of time after their slow start.  The setback is the Cougars first loss to a CCCAA team this year and the poloists enter the second day 13-3 overall.

The Cougars face two Western State Conference foes in a non-conference setting tomorrow.  They face 2018 CCCAA State Runner-up LA Valley at 9 AM and long-time rival Ventura at 2 PM.  

Day 2 Schedule, September 25

8 AM- American River- Long Beach

9:10- Cuesta- LA Valley

10:20- Golden West-Ventura

11:30- Golden West-American River

12:40- Long Beach-LA Valley

1:50- Cuesta-Ventura