LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The thirteenth-ranked University of California San Diego men's water polo team surrendered a 21-8 decision to fifth-ranked University of the Pacific on the first day of the Mountain Pacific Invitational, Friday afternoon in Los Angeles.
UC San Diego dropped to 3-8 on the season while the Tigers improved to 9-1.
The Tritons struggled to capitalize on powerplay opportunities, finishing 1-15 (.0625), and were outshot 44-20. UCSD went 2-for-2 on penalty shots.
Seven different Tritons' scored goals with sophomore Skyler Munatones grabbing a team-best two. Senior Arman Momdzhyan, freshman Connor Turnbow-Lindenstadt, sophomore Cooper Milton, sophomore Noah Carniglia, freshman Nolan Ortega and freshman Ronald Ginoti had one apiece.
UCSD got off to a slow start allowing the Tigers to jump out to a 4-0 lead before netting back-to-back goals to cut the lead to two. Turnbow-Lindenstadt had the Tritons' first goal unassisted. Munatones made a penalty shot with just under two minutes to play and sophomore Cooper Milton capped the first frame, scoring as time expired on the clock.
Momdzhyan, Munatones and Ginoti each scored in the second frame to make it a four-goal game going into the half, 10-6.
UCSD was outscored 11-2 in the second half as the Tigers pulled away to secure a 13-goal victory.
Junior Sam Thompson made 11 saves in goal while the Tigers' John Hedges has six and three steals.
The Tritons continue play at the MPSF Tournament Saturday, September 23. UCSD plays Loyola Marymount at 9:20 p.m. and will play again at 2:40 p.m. if they beat the Lions or 1:20 p.m. if they lose. For the full tournament schedule click here. Both games will be held at Burns Recreation Center on the campus of Loyola Marymount.
Pacific 21, UC San Diego 8
Pacific 5 5 6 5 - 21
UCSD 3 3 1 1 - 8
Goals
UCSD: Skyler Munatones 2, Arman Momdzhyan, Connor Turnbow-Lindenstadt, Cooper Milton, Noah Carniglia, Nolan Ortega, Ronald Ginoti.
Pacific: Engin Ege Colak 5, Luke Pavillard 4, Derek Clappis 3, Devon Thumwood 3, Tim Reeves, Luis Araya, Kale Ai, Ben Stevenson, Eli Lule, Wyatt Barker.
Saves
UCSD: Sam Thompson 11
Pacific: John Hedges 6
#AllForOne
