Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
UCLA
No. 6 Long Beach State Returns Home To Face No. 1 UCLA
9/16/2021 8:31:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
After a long wait, the Beach is back at Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center to face the reigning champion Bruins.
Long Beach, Calif. — When the No. 6 Long Beach State men's water polo makes its return to Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center on Friday night it will have been 684 days since the Beach last played in front of its home crowd.
LBSU will welcome back fans with a highly anticipated match against reigning NCAA champ and No. 1-ranked UCLA.
Friday, Sept. 17
No. 6 Long Beach State vs No. 1 UCLA
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center
TV: ESPN +
SCOUTING THE BRUINS
UCLA has started the season 7-0 sweeping their competition at the Triton Invitational and Inland Empire Classic. The Bruins have a balanced attack as five athletes that have scored 10 or more goals. Chase Dodd leads the team with 15 goals.
HOT START
The Beach started the season 8-0 after sweeping their competition as the Triton Invitational and Inland Empire Classic. Rafael Real Vergara leads the Beach and is third in the nation in goals scored with 28.
PATIENTLY WAITING
The Beach hasn't competed since the 2019 season and is ready to get back in the pool after not competing during the 2020 season.
INTERNATIONAL TIES
The Beach had four athletes compete at this year's FINA Men's Junior Water Polo Championships in Prague. Liam Ward, Zach Frazier and Evan Cain competed for the USA, while Abdelrahman Soliman competed with Egypt.
OLYMPIC COMPETITION
Coach Gavin Arroyo represented the United States at the Tokyo Games as an assistant coach for the national men's water polo team.
