Men’s Water Polo Finishes Perfect 4-0 Weekend At Gary Troyer Tournament

Saturday, October 5

Claremont, Calif.

8 a.m.

Long Beach State University

10-6

Wagner

8-9

Wagner

Long Beach State

Photo by: Luiza Moraes

Men’s Water Polo Finishes Perfect 4-0 Weekend At Gary Troyer Tournament

10/5/2024 3:01:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Gabi Acosta and Marc Frigola led the team with seven goals in each in the day.

By: Luiza Moraes - Athletics Communication Assistant

CLAREMONT, Calif. – No.10 Long Beach State finished the Gary Troyer Tournament with two more wins, defeating Wagner 23-5 and No. 19 California Baptist 18-13.

On the first game of the day, the Beach showed a strong defense against Wagner, winning 23-5 to start the day. Senior Aaron Wilson led the Beach with 17 saves for a career high. Wilson also added three assists and two steals in the game.

Freshman Gabi Acosta scored all of his goals in the match under three minutes of play. Acosta netted four to let the Beach in the lead 4-0. Senior Jason O'Donnell scored his first of the weekend on an extra man situation to extend the lead. Wagner scored three goals in a row to put the game 5-3 at the end of the first quarter.

A quick goal by Senior Nikola Jancic got Long Beach State on the board at the second quarter. Evan Cain got on the scoresheet for the weekend in a counter-attack goal and Sophomore Marc Frigola scored back-to-back goals to make the score 9-4. Freshman Corbin Stanley scored his first of the day with one minute left in the quarter to lead into halftime with a six-goal difference.

In the second half, led by Aaron Wilson, the Beach only allowed one goal and scoring 13 goals at the half. Caleb Francisco and Nicolas Fuchs scored a pair of goals each in the half to lead the offense. Botond Hadju, Kostantinos Kapragkos, Alex Makshanoff, Jovan Mandic, Michael Soybel and Harper Stewart added one goal to help the Beach close the game 23-5.

In the last game of the weekend, Long Beach State had a strong start, opening a 6-1 lead in the first quarter against California Baptist. Evan Cain opened the score for the Beach on a penalty shot and Bruno Chiappini scored the second on a counterattack opportunity. Sophomore Marc Frigola scored his first of the afternoon as the Lancers got one on the board with five minutes left in the quarter. Three straight goals from Gabi Acosta, Frigola and Corbin Stanley closed the quarter.

In a tight second quarter, Cal Baptist edged Long Beach by one to make the game 11-7 at half. Gavi Acosta, Evan Cain, Riley Catino added one goal in the quarter, as Marc Frigola notched two more goals before halftime.

In the second half the Beach kept ahead and in control of the match. Senior Liam Ward recorded 11 saves in the game stopping two counter attacks from the Lancers. Cal Baptist started the third quarter with two quick goals, but Cain stopped the comeback from the Lancers with back-to-back goals to put the Beach up by four goals, heading into the last quarter up 13-9.

Freshman Harper Stewart scored two goals in the fourth quarter helping the Beach to secure the win. Frigola scored his fifth goal of the game as Acosta netted another one to complete his hat-trick. Sophomore Caleb Francisco scored under a minute to complete the scoresheet, and the Beach closed the game 18-13 and finished the weekend with four wins.

Next week, the Beach will have their first Big West match-up when they face No. 17 UC Davis on the road on Friday at 7 p.m. After facing the Aggies, Long Beach State plays at No. 6 California at 1 p.m. on Saturday and closes the road trip at No. 5 Pacific at 1 p.m.