LONG BEACH, Calif. - After limiting the 49ers to only three scores in the first half, the Tritons gave up seven goals in the final two periods as the No. 15 UC San Diego men's water polo team fell to No. 8 Long Beach State, 10-4, Thursday at Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center.
UCSD is now 9-10 in the 2015 season. LBSU improves to 7-9.
The 49ers struck first as Austin Stevenson was able to convert a five-meter penalty shot after a foul by Andreas Stathatos on the first possession of the game. LBSU got the next goal on a six-on-five situation by Keegan Wicken. The Tritons got their first score with 1:18 left in the opening quarter by junior driver Andy Moore.
The only score in the second quarter came from LBSU's Lovre Miocevic on a penalty shot, as UCSD was shut out. The 49ers took a two-goal lead, 3-1, into halftime.
LBSU scored the first two goals of the second half before sophomore driver Cole Martinez was able to find the back of the cage from the two-meter position with 1:39 remaining in the third frame. Josh Tice answered back 26 seconds later as the 49ers took a four-goal advantage into the final quarter.
LBSU started the fourth period with three goals. Junior driver Nick Alexander and Martinez were able to put away shots before the end of the game, but the 49er lead was too large as UCSD fell by six.
“We did play good defense in the first half,” said UCSD head coach Denny Harper. “To give up only three goals in a half to a team with that many weapons showed that we are definitely improving, but clearly had some struggles at the offensive end.
UCSD was led by Martinez's two goals.
LBSU's Louvre Miocevic recorded a hat trick with three goals.
UCSD will return home to the Canyonview Aquatic Center for its next game, taking on Air Force on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m.
BOX SCORE
UCSD 1 0 1 2 - 4
LBSU 2 1 3 4 - 10
Goals
UCSD: Cole Martinez 2, Andy Moore 1, Nick Alexander 1
LBSU: Lovre Miocevic 3, Austin Stevenson 2, Keegan Wicken, 2, Josh Tice 1, Dimitrios Lappas 1, Chandler Kaltenbach 1
Saves
UCSD: Jack Turner 7
LBSU: Pavo Ljepopio 11
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