LA JOLLA, Calif. — The No. 11 University of California San Diego men's water polo team smothered Fresno Pacific, 14-3, in its Wester Water Polo Association (WWPA) opener Saturday afternoon at Canyonview Aquatic Center.
Four different Tritons scored two goals for UC San Diego (8-2, 1-0 WWPA), which took a 3-0 lead after the first quarter before leading 8-1 at halftime.
Senior Alessandro Valania, sophomore Michael Gelnak, junior Noah Carniglia and junior Skyler Munatones each scored twice. Senior Kevin Asplund recorded two assists, as did redshirt freshman Konstantin Karlov, which were the first two of his career. In addition, redshirt junior goalkeeper Sam Thompson finished with eight saves.
UC San Diego held Fresno Pacific (0-9, 0-1 WWPA) scoreless until the 2:31 mark of the second period, with the Firebirds' other two goals in the third coming on a power play and a penalty shot.
The Tritons pulled away late in the second half behind goals from junior Cooper Milton, redshirt sophomore Calder Hilde-Jones and sophomore Nolan Ortega. Senior Collin Sullivan, senior Ryan Rodriguez, redshirt freshman Nathan Ellinthorpe and sophomore Boris Rubel also had assists in the second half.
Up next, UC San Diego plays host to Loyola Marymount on Wednesday evening beginning at 6 p.m. at Canyonview Aquatic Center.
About UC San Diego Athletics
With 30 national team championships, nearly 150 individual titles and the top student-athlete graduation rate among Division II institutions in the United States, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program annually ranks as one of the most successful in the country. The Tritons sponsor 23 intercollegiate sport programs that compete on the NCAA Division I and II levels and, in summer 2020, will transition into full Division I status as a member of the Big West Conference. UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent. A total of 80 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 36 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. In competition, more than 1,300 UC San Diego student-athletes have earned All-America honors.
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