Long Beach State University Athletics
Photo by: John Fajardo
Long Beach State’s Comeback Attempt Falls Just Short To No. 4 USC
10/27/2023 8:51:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
Caleb Francisco and Robert Lopez Duart each scored three goals in the loss.
LONG BEACH, Calif.— No. 8 men's water polo was unable to mount a comeback after falling behind early, as they dropped Friday's contest to USC, 16-13. Caleb Francisco and Robert Lopez Duart led the Beach with three goals each, while Liam Ward made 10 saves in goal.
USC started the game as the aggressor, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead. Alexander Makshanoff got the Beach on the board, but the Trojans responded with two more goals. Bruno Chiappini would also score in the first, but USC would finish the first quarter leading 6-2.
The second quarter started in the same way as the first, with USC scoring three straight goals to extend their lead to 9-2. Marc Frigola would score Long Beach State's third goal of the game, but once again the Trojans would respond with a goal of their own. However, Robert Lopez Duart scored three straight goals of his own to keep the game within reach. The two teams would trade goals the rest of the way, with USC outscoring Long Beach State by one goal in the second quarter, giving them a 12-7 lead at halftime.
USC would outscore Long Beach State by a goal in the third quarter as well. Evan Cain scored two goals in the quarter, but USC would extend their lead to 15-9.
Long Beach State held USC to one goal in the fourth and scored four of their own with Caleb Francisco scoring a hat-trick and Chiappini scoring his second of the night, but it was not enough to close the gap as the Beach fell, 16-13.
Long Beach State will return to Big West play on Saturday at 7 p.m. as they travel to Cal State Fullerton. A live stream will be provided by ESPN+ and live stats will be available on theFOSH.net.
USC started the game as the aggressor, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead. Alexander Makshanoff got the Beach on the board, but the Trojans responded with two more goals. Bruno Chiappini would also score in the first, but USC would finish the first quarter leading 6-2.
The second quarter started in the same way as the first, with USC scoring three straight goals to extend their lead to 9-2. Marc Frigola would score Long Beach State's third goal of the game, but once again the Trojans would respond with a goal of their own. However, Robert Lopez Duart scored three straight goals of his own to keep the game within reach. The two teams would trade goals the rest of the way, with USC outscoring Long Beach State by one goal in the second quarter, giving them a 12-7 lead at halftime.
USC would outscore Long Beach State by a goal in the third quarter as well. Evan Cain scored two goals in the quarter, but USC would extend their lead to 15-9.
Long Beach State held USC to one goal in the fourth and scored four of their own with Caleb Francisco scoring a hat-trick and Chiappini scoring his second of the night, but it was not enough to close the gap as the Beach fell, 16-13.
Long Beach State will return to Big West play on Saturday at 7 p.m. as they travel to Cal State Fullerton. A live stream will be provided by ESPN+ and live stats will be available on theFOSH.net.
Players Mentioned
Utility
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Center
/ Men's Water Polo
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