Sunday, November 20
Santa Barbara, Calif.
1 p.m.
Long Beach State University
20-10
6
vs
12
Pacific
21-6
1
2
3
4
F
Long Beach State
0
3
2
1
6
Pacific
2
3
3
4
12
Photo by: Diego Devia @Devia.Img
Men’s Water Polo Denied In Golden Coast Conference Championship Game
11/20/2022 2:22:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
Pacific holds off Long Beach State and claims the tournament championship with a 12-6 win.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Facing off against their fellow co-champions in the Golden Coast Conference Tournament championship match, Long Beach State got off to a slow start against No 7 Pacific and were unable to climb back in front in a 10-6 defeat Sunday afternoon.
With the win, Pacific (21-6) earns the automatic qualification into the NCAA Championship, while Long Beach State (21-9) will end up one win short of a third trip to the NCAA postseason in the last four seasons.
Pacific's defense led the way on Sunday, and played a key role in helping the Tigers get off to a strong start. Neither team would score over the first three minutes, but Jeremie Cote broke the deadlock, and Pacific held the Beach off the board in the first quarter to stake the Tigers to a 2-0 lead after the first quarter.
With the Tigers on top 4-0, Long Beach State came roaring back as Rafael Real Vergara scored a pair of goals in the second quarter, and LBSU found Garrett Zaan inside in the final 30 seconds of the half to pull the Beach back within two at 5-3.
Pacific had the early answer in the second half however to keep the Beach from getting any closer. On top 8-5 after the third quarter, the Tigers were able to slow the game down and eliminate another comeback push from the Beach in the fourth quarter on the way to the win. For their efforts during the tournament, Rafael Real Vergara and Garrett Zaan were both named All-GCC Tournament Team.
Despite the loss, the season can only be considered a success for the Beach. With 21 wins in the season, Long Beach State reached the 20-win mark for the 8th time in the program's 53-year history, and the program will once again finish the season ranked inside the Top 10.
Rafael Real Vergara ended the season with 73 goals, tied for the fourth-most in school history and closes the year with 192 career goals, fourth in school history. Senior Garrett Zaan closes his career with 151 goals, 15th most in school history to also rank in the school's Top 20, as does Matt Morris, 19th with 141 career goals.
With the win, Pacific (21-6) earns the automatic qualification into the NCAA Championship, while Long Beach State (21-9) will end up one win short of a third trip to the NCAA postseason in the last four seasons.
Pacific's defense led the way on Sunday, and played a key role in helping the Tigers get off to a strong start. Neither team would score over the first three minutes, but Jeremie Cote broke the deadlock, and Pacific held the Beach off the board in the first quarter to stake the Tigers to a 2-0 lead after the first quarter.
With the Tigers on top 4-0, Long Beach State came roaring back as Rafael Real Vergara scored a pair of goals in the second quarter, and LBSU found Garrett Zaan inside in the final 30 seconds of the half to pull the Beach back within two at 5-3.
Pacific had the early answer in the second half however to keep the Beach from getting any closer. On top 8-5 after the third quarter, the Tigers were able to slow the game down and eliminate another comeback push from the Beach in the fourth quarter on the way to the win. For their efforts during the tournament, Rafael Real Vergara and Garrett Zaan were both named All-GCC Tournament Team.
Despite the loss, the season can only be considered a success for the Beach. With 21 wins in the season, Long Beach State reached the 20-win mark for the 8th time in the program's 53-year history, and the program will once again finish the season ranked inside the Top 10.
Rafael Real Vergara ended the season with 73 goals, tied for the fourth-most in school history and closes the year with 192 career goals, fourth in school history. Senior Garrett Zaan closes his career with 151 goals, 15th most in school history to also rank in the school's Top 20, as does Matt Morris, 19th with 141 career goals.
Team Stats
LBSU
UOP
Shots
29
29
Goals
6
12
Assists
3
6
Points
9
18
Exclusions
6
7
Steals
6
10
Sprints
2
2
1
Jeremie Cote
4:40
Matthew Hosmer
3:56
2
Bogdan Djerkovic
7:32
Matthew Hosmer
5:22
Rafael Real Vergara
5:05
Bogdan Djerkovic
3:57
Rafael Real Vergara
1:45
Garrett Zaan
0:35
3
Matthew Hosmer
7:09
Aaron Arias
6:47
Mihailo Vukazic
6:21
Bruno Chiappini
3:23
Reuel D'Souza
1:24
4
Evan Cain
6:59
Jeremie Cote
5:02
Bogdan Djerkovic
3:19
Bogdan Djerkovic
2:27
Mihailo Vukazic
1:04
Game Leaders
Shots
10
Goals
2
Assists
0
Points
2
Shots
6
Goals
1
Assists
1
Points
2
Shots
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Points
1
Players Mentioned
Utility
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Utility
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