The UCI Men’s Water Polo team (10-8, 0-0) defeated California Baptist University (16-9, 2-2), 12-11, at the Anteater Aquatics Complex Wednesday, Oct. 12. The game was a rematch, following a previous 19-17 win on Sept. 30 after going into double overtime.
The Lancers resolutely opened the game, striking first with a goal from junior two-meter Matt Olsen with an assist from fellow junior attacker Caleb Teraoka. Junior attacker Toby Bumgardner then gained control of the loose ball, allowing for a Cal Baptist counterattack. After an exclusion call on UCI, senior attacker Angel Sanchez set up Olsen to strike again to extend Cal Baptist’s lead to 0-2 with 3:54 left in the quarter.
On the defensive side for the ’Eaters, sophomore goalkeeper Jacob Pyle had several stellar saves throughout the quarter, denying the Lancers a chance to increase their score.
The ’Eaters then went on the offensive, finding their place on the scoreboard with a goal from sophomore attacker Ethan Shipman. Riding on the momentum, Shipman scored a second goal, tying the game at 2-2 with 2:27 left in the first quarter.
The Lancers didn’t take this lying down. Cal Baptist’s offense rocketed the ball into the ‘Eater cage, a goal from sophomore attacker Bodhi Bowden allowing the Lancers to overtake the lead with 1:55 left. Cal Baptist led 2-3 at the end of the first quarter.
With the help of sophomore utility player Jack Stevens’ steal, UCI gained possession within the first minute of the second quarter. Soon after, sophomore center Tyler Padua secured a goal with an assist from sophomore attacker Dylan Patist to tie the game 3-3.
However, Cal Baptist was quick to respond with a goal from senior attacker Thomas de Wit. Senior attacker Zlatan Nikocevic retaliated and equalized the score 4-4, striking past Cal Baptist’s goalkeeper for the Anteaters. Despite the counterattack, Irvine struggled to get past the Lancers’ defense. Cal Baptist began to pile up goals, forcing a UCI timeout.
With the ball back in the water, UCI sophomore utility player Solan Kedzie stole possession from the Lancers. He passed to sophomore attacker Archer Sauer, who took the ball down and found Patist in the center, enabling Patist to score a UCI goal.
Cal Baptist scored a goal to end the quarter with a quick combination play from de Wit to Bumgardner. By the end of the first half, the Lancers led 6-8.
UCI started with possession in the third quarter after Stevens won the sprint. Sophomore driver Stewart Campbell found the gap in the cage, closing the score difference to 7-8. With 6:54 left in the quarter, a penalty foul against Patist drawn by Olsen forced a five-meter attempt for the Lancers to make it 7-9.
After resetting the offense off a corner throw, Nikocevic found the back of the net from afar to tie the game 9-9. With Steven’s steal, the ’Eaters were able to convert the counterattack into a goal from freshman utility player Jackson Matos after teaming up with Campbell to reclaim the lead 10-9.
Driven by high levels of energy packed under the Anteater Aquatic Complex lights, the Lancers attacked aggressively going into the final quarter. A goal from CBU’s Sanchez and UCI’s sophomore driver Zachary Baxter each made the scoreboard 11-11.
After a foul on the Lancers, UCI shifted gears to offense. Padua found the goal close from the cage to surpass Cal Baptist 12-11 with 3:30 left.
The Lancers couldn’t convert enough opportunities to take back the lead. Shipman got the steal with five seconds left in the game to secure the win for the ’Eaters with a 12-11 over Cal Baptist.
Hanah Kitamoto is a Sports Intern for the fall 2022 quarter. She can be reached at ykitamot@uci.edu.