Long Beach State Falls On The Road To No. 2 California

Saturday, October 21

Berkeley, Calif.

Noon

Long Beach State University

14-9, 1-1

California

16-3, 2-2

Long Beach State

California

Photo by: John Fajardo

10/21/2023 1:26:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

Box Score

Long Beach State will return to action next week with two games, including another top-five matchup.

By: Bryan Alamillo, Athletics Communications Assistant

BERKELEY, Calif.— No. 8 men's water polo squared off against No. 2 California in a high-powered offensive game that saw 31 goals scored, but the Beach came up short falling to the Golden Bears, 19-12. Evan Cain led Long Beach State with 4 goals, while Bruno Chiappini and Caleb Francisco each scored twice.

After a few defensive stops by both teams, California was able to break the deadlock with 5:50 left in the first quarter. The Golden Bears would add two more goals before a Nikola Jancic backhand put Long Beach State on the board. Thirty seconds later, Robert Lopez Duart found the back of the net with a skip shot past the goalkeeper to cut the lead down to one. Evan Cain added a third for the Beach, but the Golden Bears were able to score three more to make the score 6-3 after the first quarter.

California started the second quarter on a 3-0 run, pushing their lead to six goals. Evan Cain was able to break up their scoring run with his second goal of the game, quickly followed by his third as he scored a five-meter penalty making the score 9-5. Cal would take advantage of another powerplay, but Cain would respond with his fourth goal of the game making the score 10-6 at halftime.

The third quarter began as a defensive battle, as neither team could find their rhythm on offense. Liam Ward came up with big save for Long Beach State, but California was able to score the first goal of the quarter after winning a five-meter penalty shot. Caleb Francisco found the back of the cage to pull the goal back, but the Golden Bears would score on their next possession. After another California goal, Francisco scored his second of the game to keep the game within five. Abdelrahman Soliman also scored for the Beach, but California would enter the final quarter of play with a 14-9 lead.

California opened the fourth quarter scoring the first goal, but Bruno Chiappini and Marc Frigola would respond with a powerplay goals to make the score 15-11. The Golden Bears would score again, but Chiappini would score his second to keep the deficit at four. However, California would score three unanswered goals to win the game 19-12.

Long Beach State's season will continue with two matches next week. On Friday, the Beach will host No. 5 USC at Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center at 7 p.m. and will return to Big West play on the road to Cal State Fullerton on Saturday at 7 p.m.