Beach Pulls Away From The Lions

Wednesday, November 7

Long Beach, Calif.

7:00 PM

Long Beach State University

LMU

Photo by: John Fajardo

11/7/2018 9:50:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

No. 6 Long Beach State got off to a strong start that would ultimately seal the game against No. 13 LMU, 14-10.

By: Antonio Camberos, Athletic Communications Coordinator

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Newly ranked No. 6 Long Beach State (10-11, 2-2 GCC) looked to extend their win streak to three against the No. 13 LMU Lions (12-13, 5-2 WWPA). The Beach would play a competitive opening minutes before finally breaking free from the Lions to ultimately control the game ending at 14-10. Senior Keegan Wicken tallied the first goal for the Beach on the night, but the Lions quickly answered the call to tie the game. Back-to-back goals from senior Chandler Kaltenbach and junior Austin Stewart would put LBSU up 3-1 midway through the first quarter. LMU would score twice more to tie the game back up, but shortly after freshman Theodoros Pateros would aid a response to put LBSU back up. We would have yet another Garrett Zaan appearance as the freshman would close the quarter out with another goal to leave things at 5-3.

A couple back-and-forth goals would open up the second quarter between the two programs, yet the Beach would inch on another goal to extend their lead to 8-5 at the end of the quarter. Senior Austin Stevenson scored the last goal of the half for the Beach and that would catapult a six goal streak from the Beach. LBSU used Stevenson's goal as a shift in momentum as they carried it into the third quarter to pull away from the Lions 13-5. LMU would score twice before the end of the third to keep things at 13-7.

The Lions would come out hot in the fourth quarter as they scored the first three goals of the quarter to pull within three, 13-10. But strong defensive plays from LBSU and a goal from Stewart with 1:06 left in the fourth period would seal things to put the Lions away.

Stewart had himself a hat trick on the day to lead the Beach in goals, along with two assists. Zaan has now extended his goal streak to 10 consecutive games with a goal scored as he bagged in two goals today along with two steals. LBSU had help from everyone as Stevenson grabbed two goals and a steal with Wicken getting two goals on the day. Junior Johnathan Wong carried a steal, junior Luke Ritter helped with a goal of his own followed by an assist, while Pateros had one goal to aid LBSU. Freshman Matt Morris would strike twice and senior Chandler Kaltenbach would get a goal and two steals. With this win, LBSU has now extended their win streak to three, just one back of their season-high win streak of four dating back to Sep. 2-8.

The Beach will look to close out their by extending their win streak on Senior Day against the No. 11 UC Irvine Anteaters on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center.