The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s water polo team remains undefeated after dominating the Queen’s Gaels 24-5 and defeating the defending OUA champion Carleton Ravens 10-8 on Saturday, November 8 at Varsity Pool.

In an intense battle for top spot in the OUA, Carleton got off to a good start, building a quick three-goal lead in the first quarter. Third-year arts and science student Cagri Illhan (Istanbul, TUR) capitalized for the Blues with a minute to go in the opening frame to get the home team on the board.

Toronto came out strong in the second quarter and established a bigger offensive presence in the pool. Teams continued to exchange goals, however, Carleton still held a slight 5-4 edge at the midway point of the game.

The Blues showed good poise and control in the third quarter, which was rewarded with goals by Milos Radojcic (Toronto) and Surrey, B.C. natives Tanner Reagan and Carston Ruffo to put Toronto up 7-6 going into the final frame.

Ravens Dejan Suletic (Gatineau, Que.) scored a quick goal in the fourth to tie things up, but Toronto netted two goals in less than two minutes to take a lead that would hold throughout the rest of the game.

The Blues had seven different goal scorers in the solid team effort. Max Pottier (Kitchener, Ont.), Ruffo and Radojcic each scored twice, while Ryan Pallet (Ancaster, Ont.), Illhan, Reagan and Speers added singles in the victory.

Suletic led the Ravens with three goals. Gordo Cameron (Kingston, Ont.) potted two, with Logan Seaman (Kanata, Ont.) and Gatineau, Que. natives Milan Stevanovic and Aleksandar Stevanovic (Gatineau, Que.) adding one apiece for Carleton.

In earlier action, the Blues came away with a convincing 24-5 win over the Gaels.

Regan and Speers led Toronto with five goals each, while Illhan netted four. Ruffo added three with Pallet, Pottier and Radojcic each scoring two in the victory. Alan Warner (Bridgetown, BRB) rounded out the Blues scoring with one goal.

John Coutts (Toronto) led the Gaels with two goals, while Bentley Gaikis (Toronto), Ognen Hristovski (Skopje, MAC) and Eric Jones (Hamilton, Ont.) adding singles in the loss.

The Varsity Blues host the Western Mustangs tomorrow in their final game of the 2008 regular season at Varsity Pool. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.