Men’s Water Polo Splits On The First Day Of The Triton Invitational To Begin 2024 Season

Saturday, September 7

La Jolla, Calif.

8 a.m.

Long Beach State University

1-0

Westcliff

0-0

Westcliff

Long Beach State

Photo by: Luiza Moraes

Men’s Water Polo Splits On The First Day Of The Triton Invitational To Begin 2024 Season

9/7/2024 2:20:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Junior Alec Johnson leads the way with 5 goals in the win over Westcliff.

By: Luiza Moraes - Athletics Communication Assistant

LA JOLLA, Calif.—No. 10 Long Beach State kicked off their 2024 season with a win in their first game of the Triton Invitational. The Beach began the day with a 20-7 win against Westcliff before dropping a contest against No. 4 USC, 14-6.

Long Beach State got off to a quick start in the first game of the day with newcomer Alec Johnson scoring his first career goal for the Beach. In the first quarter Liam Ward was in the cage and did not allow any goals. The Beach finished the first half leading 10-3 and dominated the remaining of the game to win 20-7.

Ten Beach players scored with Alec Johnson leading the way with five goals in the game. Nicolas Fuchs and Michael Soybel scored their first career goals, as they ended the game with two a piece. While Riley Catino and Caleb Francisco also scored two goals in their first game of the season. Botond Hadju, Jason O'Donnell, Evan Cain, Keegan Moore and Corbin Stanley all scored one goal to help the Beach reach their first win.

Long Beach State's first big test of the season came in the second game where they faced off against No. 4 USC. The Beach kept the game close in the first half heading to halftime down by one. Freshman Kostantinos Kapragkos scored his first two goals for the Beach, and Sophomore Marc Frigola scored his first two goals of the season as well. Senior Liam Ward stopped a penalty shot and the Beach went to halftime down 7-6. At the second half, the team could not keep the momentum and ended losing the game 14-6. Caleb Francisco and Corbin Stanley also scored in the game.

Long Beach State continues play at the Triton Invitational with two more games on Sunday. The Beach opens the day with a game against Bucknell at Noon and concludes the tournament against Redlands at 4 p.m.