Sunday, November 18
Long Beach, Calif.
1 p.m.
Long Beach State University
10
vs
6
Pacific
Long Beach State Claims GCC Championship, Clinches Bid To NCAA Tournament
11/18/2018 4:23:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
Long Beach State defeated Pacific in the GCC Championship, 10-6 en route to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1991.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Halfway through the fourth quarter the Tigers looked to tie the game against the Beach as they scored two straight goals to cut the lead to one. Junior Austin Stewart took charge and put the Tigers away as he claimed his third goal of the match to put up LBSU 8-6. The Beach would score twice more to end things at 10-6 as they were on their way to claim their first NCAA Tournament bid since 1991.
The Beach and the Tigers opened things up by exchanging goals in the first period of the game. Senior Austin Stevenson scored the first goal for the LBSU at the 6:03 mark. Pacific would tie things up three minutes later but Stewart would bag his first goal of the match with an assist from freshman Garrett Zaan. The back-and-forth play would continue until the end of the quarter leaving things at 3-3.
A quiet second period would keep the game close at 3-3 until Pacific took the lead with 1:50 left to play. Senior Troy Kaltenbach would respond in the closing minutes of the period to tie things back up before intermission at 4-4.
The second half is where the Beach took control of this game as they opened the third quarter up scoring three consecutive goals from senior Max Cusator, Stewart, and freshman Theodoros Pateros. Pacific would answer with a goal in the closing minute of the third quarter to inch back in, 8-6.
Pacific would score again to bring themselves within one at the 4:04 mark of the fourth quarter. Stewart sealed his hat trick as he put the Tigers away with his third goal of the match. Kaltenbach would put score his second of the match to put the Beach back up two. Pacific looked to climb back into this game, but a strong block from senior Keegan Wicken would put an end to any momentum the Tigers had. Stewart would score once more to end the game, 10-6.
Freshman Theodoros Pateros was named onto the All-Tournament team, along with Stewart. Sophomore Marwan Darwish would be named Tournament MVP as he had 24 total saves in the tournament, including his season-high 15 against the Pepperdine Waves. Stewart accomplished 50 goals on the year which puts him in the LBSU record books, which is tied for 27th most in a single season, along with Chirs Segesman (2000) and Brett McCleave (2004). LBSU claims their first GCC Championship in their short history with the conference as well.
News on Long Beach State's opponent and venue will be named later this week. Be sure to keep up with the Long Beach State website and @LBSUWaterPolo twitter page for any updates.
The Beach and the Tigers opened things up by exchanging goals in the first period of the game. Senior Austin Stevenson scored the first goal for the LBSU at the 6:03 mark. Pacific would tie things up three minutes later but Stewart would bag his first goal of the match with an assist from freshman Garrett Zaan. The back-and-forth play would continue until the end of the quarter leaving things at 3-3.
A quiet second period would keep the game close at 3-3 until Pacific took the lead with 1:50 left to play. Senior Troy Kaltenbach would respond in the closing minutes of the period to tie things back up before intermission at 4-4.
The second half is where the Beach took control of this game as they opened the third quarter up scoring three consecutive goals from senior Max Cusator, Stewart, and freshman Theodoros Pateros. Pacific would answer with a goal in the closing minute of the third quarter to inch back in, 8-6.
Pacific would score again to bring themselves within one at the 4:04 mark of the fourth quarter. Stewart sealed his hat trick as he put the Tigers away with his third goal of the match. Kaltenbach would put score his second of the match to put the Beach back up two. Pacific looked to climb back into this game, but a strong block from senior Keegan Wicken would put an end to any momentum the Tigers had. Stewart would score once more to end the game, 10-6.
Freshman Theodoros Pateros was named onto the All-Tournament team, along with Stewart. Sophomore Marwan Darwish would be named Tournament MVP as he had 24 total saves in the tournament, including his season-high 15 against the Pepperdine Waves. Stewart accomplished 50 goals on the year which puts him in the LBSU record books, which is tied for 27th most in a single season, along with Chirs Segesman (2000) and Brett McCleave (2004). LBSU claims their first GCC Championship in their short history with the conference as well.
News on Long Beach State's opponent and venue will be named later this week. Be sure to keep up with the Long Beach State website and @LBSUWaterPolo twitter page for any updates.
Had the opportunity to catch up with Head Coach Gavin Arroyo as he gave some thoughts on the victory and the season! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/pnDRT6gUOh
— LBSU Water Polo (@LBSUWaterPolo) November 19, 2018
Players Mentioned
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Goalie
/ Men's Water Polo
Utility
/ Men's Water Polo
Center
/ Men's Water Polo
Defender
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Defender
/ Men's Water Polo
Utility
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