LA JOLLA, Calif. — The No. 6 UC San Diego men's water polo team heads into its third Big West season Saturday as it travels to No. 12 UC Santa Barbara.
The game is slated for a 10:30 a.m. start at Dos Pueblos High School.
The Tritons are an even 1-1 in Big West openers, defeating Long Beach State 11-10 in overtime in 2023 and falling to UC Irvine 12-11 last season.
UC San Diego is looking to add to its current seven-game win streak. The team is a perfect 4-0 thus far on the road.
UC Santa Barbara comes in at 14-10 overall and this will the first conference contest of the season for the Gauchos as well. Most recently, they took down sixth-ranked San Jose State 13-12 on the road. Saturday's tilt will be just their second home game.
INSIDE THE GAME
Game 21: Big West Opener
• #6/6 UC San Diego (16-5, 0-0) at #12/12Â
UC Santa Barbara (14-10, 0-0)
• Saturday, October 11, 10:30 a.m.
•
Dos Pueblos High School - 7266 Alameda Ave. Goleta, CA 93117
•
Watch on ESPN+
•
FOSH Live Stats
VENUE INFO
Saturday's game will be played at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta. Admission is free. Please be aware that capacity of the venue is 300. Once that number is reached, gates will be closed.
BIG WEST OPENERS
Overall, UC San Diego is 1-1 in Big West openers.
2024:
UC San Diego 11, UC Irvine 12
2023:
Long Beach State 10, UC San Diego 11 (OT)
NO BUN INTENDED BUT THE TRITONS ARE ON A ROLL
The Tritons are currently riding a seven game win streak. That's their longest run since 2019 when they won 11 straight.
TRITONS RISING THROUGH THE RANKS
UC San Diego is ranked No. 6 this week in both the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) and Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) national polls. The last time the Tritons were slotted higher was in 2018 when they came at No. 5.
A
XLINE EARNS FIRST BIG WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR
On September 24,Â
Bennett Axline  was named the Big West Men's Water Polo Player of the Week. Over five games the previous week, the senior led UC San Diego to a 4-1 record with all four victories coming against teams ranked in the national top-20. Axline totaled 14 points off 13 goals and an assist while also ringing up 19 drawn exclusions. He scored multiple goals in four of five outings with his five against Princeton one short of his career-high. In addition, he netted the game-winner against LMU. Axline's performances helped the Tritons finish fifth in the 16-team Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Invitational in Los Angeles. It is the first career Big West Player of the Week honor for Axline.
HOW MANY GOALS?!?!?!
UC San Diego defeated Chapman, 26-7, on September 12 in Orange County. The 26 goals are the most scored by the Tritons since Sept. 22, 2012, when they downed Occidental 27-1.
UC SAN DIEGO ACCEPTS OFFER TO JOIN WEST COAST CONFERENCE
On Sept. 3, 2025, UC San Diego accepted a formal invitation to join the
West Coast Conference (WCC) and will begin competing in the conference starting with the 2027-28 season. In 2027-28, the WCC membership will consist of: University of California San Diego, Loyola Marymount University, University of the Pacific, Pepperdine University, University of Portland, Saint Mary's College, University of San Diego, University of San Francisco, Santa Clara University, and Seattle University. UC San Diego will become the first public institution in the West Coast Conference since the departure of the University of Nevada-Reno in 1979.
Read the complete press release here
UC SAN DIEGO TO HOST 2026 NCAA NATIONAL COLLEGIATE MEN'S WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIP
In October of 2024 the NCAA announced that UC San Diego will serve as host of the 2026 National Collegiate Men's Water Polo Championship at Canyonview Aquatic Center. The Tritons last hosted in 2014 as a Division II team. The 2026 event will be the first time they will host as a Division I squad. The NCAA received more than 1,200 bids from member schools, conferences, cities, and sports commissions across 47 states and Washington, D.C., all competing to host predetermined rounds for 87 of the NCAA's 90 championships. The respective NCAA sports committees selected the sites, with final approval from the divisional competition oversight and championships committees.
Read the complete press conference here
|
TRITON ROSTER BREAKDOWN |
|
| Returners (21) |
Newcomers (6) |
Lost (8) |
| Landon Akerstrom, Jr., Attacker |
Kyson Becker, Fr., Attacker |
Rhys Bugelli, Utility |
| Razvan Alistar, RS-Fr., Utility |
Jackson Boettner, Fr., Attacker |
Logan Estes, Goalie |
| Liam Amburgey, RS-Fr., Attacker |
Dusan Djordjevic, Fr., Utility |
Parker George, Goalie |
| Bennett Axline, Sr., Utility |
Caleb Harrison, Fr., Utility |
Augi Macchi, Utility |
| Jaime Bhattacharyya, RS-So., Utility |
Winston Loh, Sr., Goalie |
Trevor Moore, Utility |
| Finn Bugelli, Jr., Utility |
Davidka Skov, Fr., Utility |
Collin Tournat, Attacker |
| Ante Buzov, Sr., Utility |
|
Nikita Valajev, Goalie |
| Felipe Ferreira, Grad, Attacker |
|
Matthew Wastila, Attacker |
| Brendon Fezzey, Sr., Utility |
|
|
| Christian Hammonds, So., Attacker |
|
|
| Cole Harman, RS-Fr., Attacker |
|
|
| Alex Hegeman, RS-Fr., Goalie |
|
|
| Eamon Hennessey, Sr., Utility |
|
|
| Grant Kurtz, So., Attacker |
|
|
| Mark Laurlund, Jr., Utility |
|
|
| Reef Lippa, RS-Jr., Attacker |
|
|
| Mason Presley, Jr., Attacker |
|
|
| Luca Rago, Sr., Utility |
|
|
| Nolan Roberts, Jr., Attacker |
|
|
| Lucas Romaguera, Sr., Attacker |
|
|
| Lachlan Rossi, So., Utility |
|
2025 BIG WEST STANDINGSÂ (through 10/10)
| Team |
Big West |
% |
Overall |
% |
| Long Beach State |
1-0 |
1.000 |
10-5 |
.667 |
| UC Davis |
1-0 |
1.000 |
7-9 |
.438 |
| UC San Diego |
0-0 |
- |
16-5 |
.762 |
| UC Irvine |
0-1 |
.000 |
12-7 |
.632 |
| Cal State Fullerton |
0-1 |
.000 |
15-9 |
.625 |
| UC Santa Barbara |
0-0 |
- |
14-10 |
.583 |
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BIG WEST MEN'S WATER POLO
In 2023, the Big West sponsored men's water polo again following a 32-year hiatus. The conference previously offered the sport from 1984-91. Joining the Tritons in the conference are Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Irvine, and UC Santa Barbara. With six teams, the conference qualifies for an automatic berth in the NCAA's National Collegiate Championship. UC San Diego hosted the first Big West Championship in 2023, which was won by UC Irvine. Original members of the Big West included Fresno State, Long Beach State, Pacific, Pepperdine, UC Irvine, and UC Santa Barbara. Two Big West programs boast national championships while competing in the conference, with UC Santa Barbara claiming the Division I men's water polo title in 1979 while UC Irvine took home the top prize in 1982 and 1989.
| 2025 ACWPC NATIONAL POLL (10/8) |
2025 CWPA NATIONAL POLL (10/8) |
2025 BIG WEST COACHES' PRESEASON POLL |
| 1. UCLA |
1. UCLA |
1. Long Beach State, 29 (5) |
| 2. California |
2. California |
2. UC San Diego, 20 (1) |
| 3. USC |
3. USC |
3. UCÂ Irvine, 18 |
| 4. Stanford |
4. Stanford |
4. UC Davis, 13 |
| 5. Fordham |
5. Fordham |
5.UC Santa Barbara, 9 |
| t-6. Pepperdine |
6.UC San Diego |
6. Cal State Fullerton, 6 |
| t-6 San Jose State |
7. San Jose State |
|
| t-6. UC San Diego |
8. Pepperdine |
2025 BIG WEST COACHES' PRESEASON TEAM |
| 9. Loyola Marymount |
9. UC Davis |
Gabi Acosta, Long Beach State |
| 10. UC Davis |
t-10. Long Beach State |
Landon Akerstrom, UC San Diego |
| 11. Long Beach State |
t-10. Loyola Marymount |
Felipe Ferreira, UC San Diego |
| 12. UC Santa Barbara |
12. UC Santa Barbara |
Caleb Francisco, Long Beach State |
| 13. Princeton |
t-13. Princeton |
Thomas Kiesling, UC Davis |
| 14.UC Irvine |
t-13. Santa Clara |
Luka Krstic, UC Irvine |
| 15. California Baptist |
15. California Baptist |
Jack Stevens, UC Irvine |
| 16. Santa Clara |
16. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps |
Brock Zamanian, UC Santa Barbara |
| 17. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps |
17. Harvard |
|
| 18. Pacific |
18. Pacific |
|
| 19. Harvard |
19.UC Irvine |
|
| t-20. Brown |
20. George Washington |
|
| t-20. George Washington |
|
|
|
|
|
| UCSD:Â 12,13,13,8,7,6 |
UCSD: 12,13,13,14,7,7,6 |
|
USTASZEWSKIÂ GETS WIN NUMBER 50
With a 20-3 win against Occidental on Aug. 30 during the Triton Invitational in La Jolla, fourth-year UC San Diego head coach Matt Ustaszewski picked up his 50th career victory. Coming into the 2025 campaign he owned 48 wins, collecting 17 in both 2024 and 2023 and 14 in 2022. His 49th win came on Aug. 29 against La Verne (22-7), the team's season opener and also part of the Triton Invitational.
DEBUT REVIEW
Nine UC San Diego players made their career debuts during the season-opening Triton Invitational in La Jolla -
Razvan Alistar (returner),
Liam Amburgey (returner),
Kyson Becker (first-year),
Jackson Boettner (first-year),
Dusan Djordjevic (first-year),
Cole Harman (returner),
Alex Hegeman (returner),
Winston Loh (first-year), and
Davidka Skov (first-year). The nine Tritons accounted for 27 points, scoring 13 goals and adding 14 assists over six games. In addition, senior walk-on goalie
Winston Loh made five saves in 17 minutes of action over three games.
AKERSTROMÂ ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
Landon Akerstrom,a 2024 All-Big West First Team and ACWPC All-America Honorable Mention performer, was a member of the Team USA squad that won a silver medal in June at the 2025 U20 World Championship in Croatia. It was the highest finish for a USA Men's National Team in World Championship play at any age group.   Â
ACTIVE SCORING STREAKS (through 10/8)
•
Ante Buzov, 6
•
Christian Hammonds, 6
•
Finn Bugelli, 3
•
Bennett Axline, 2
•
Kyson Becker, 2
•
Jaime Bhattacharyya, 2
•
Jackson Boettner, 2
GAME WINNING GOALS (through 10/8)
•
Felipe Ferreira, 3 (George Washington, La Verne, Pomona-Pitzer)
•
Eamon Hennessey, 3 (UC Davis 1, Concordia 2, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps)
•
Christian Hammonds, 2 (Princeton, McKendree)
•
Luca Rago, 2 (Cal Lutheran, Occidental)
•
Bennett Axline, 1 (LMU 1)
•
Ante Buzov, 1 (LMU 2)
•
Grant Kurtz, 1 (Biola)
•
Mark Laurlund, 1 (Concordia 1)
•
Luca Rago, 1 (California Baptist)
•
Lucas Romaguera, 1 (Chapman)
TOP TRITON SCORERS GOAL BREAKDOWN (through 10/8)
TRITON RECORDS (through 10/8)
| Overall |
16-5 |
| Big West |
0-0 |
| Non-conference |
16-5 |
| At home |
4-4 |
| On the road |
4-0 |
| At at neutral site |
8-1 |
| In overtime |
1-0 |
| Scoring 0-3 goals |
0-1 |
| Scoring 4-6Â goals |
0-1 |
| Scoring 7-9 goals |
0-3 |
| Scoring 10-12 goals |
1-0 |
| Scoring 13-15 goals |
7-0 |
| Scoring 16-18 goals |
2-0 |
| Scoring 19-20 goals |
3-0 |
| Scoring 21-plus goals |
3-0 |
| More shots than opponent |
14-2 |
| Opponent has more shots |
2-2 |
| Shots are even |
0-1 |
| More steals than opponent |
12-3 |
| Opponent has more steals |
2-2 |
| Steals are even |
2-0 |
| More exclusions than opponent |
6-1 |
| Opponent has more exclusions |
8-4 |
| Exclusions are even |
2-0 |
| On Wednesdays |
1-0 |
| On Thursdays |
1-0 |
| On Fridays |
8-1 |
| On Saturdays |
4-2 |
| On Sundays |
2-2 |
2024 LOOKBACK
UC San Diego is coming off a 2024 season that saw it go 17-12 overall and 3-2 in Big West action. As the second seed at the conference championship, the Tritons came within a single win of taking the Big West title and an automatic berth in the NCAA's National Collegiate Championship.
Landon Akerstrom,
Bennett Axline, and
Lucas Romaguera garnered ACWPC All-America Honorable Mention accolades. Akerstrom and Romaguera also earned All-Big West First Team recognition.
Eamon Hennessey was selected to the conference's second team, while Axline,
Logan Estes, and
Felipe Ferreira were All-Big West Honorable Mention. All players mentioned except Estes are returners this season.
THEY CALL HIM USHA
UC San Diego is led by fourth-year head coach Matt "Usha" Ustaszewski, who took over in 2022 when Denny Harper retired after 42 years at the helm. Ustaszewski earned his first victory as head coach on Sept. 3, 2022, as the Tritons defeated La Verne, 22-8, in the team's season opener during the Triton Invitational. In 2021, Ustaszewski completed his ninth season as associate head coach and 12th season overall on the UC San Diego men's water polo staff. Usha is no stranger to the La Jolla campus. He was a co-captain of the fifth-ranked Triton water polo team as a senior in 2003 under the tutelage of Harper. He graduated in 2004, completing his bachelor's degree in history (Europe emphasis) with a 3.5 grade-point average. For Usha's complete bio,
click here.
Â
| Season |
Wins |
Losses |
Pct. |
Conference/Finish |
Wins |
Losses |
Pct. |
Highest NCAA Rank |
| 2025 |
16 |
5 |
.762 |
Big West |
0 |
0 |
- |
6 ACWPC/6Â CWPA |
| 2024 |
17 |
12 |
.586 |
Big West/2nd of 6 |
3 |
2 |
.600 |
11 ACWPC/10 CWPA |
| 2023 |
17 |
13 |
.567 |
Big West/3rd of 6 |
3 |
2 |
.600 |
9 ACWPC/9 CWPA) |
| 2022 |
14 |
13 |
.519 |
WWPA/3rd of 8 |
6 |
2 |
.750 |
10 CWPA |
| Totals |
64 |
43 |
.598 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
HARPER NAMED TO USA WATER POLO HALL OF FAME
Former UC San Diego water polo coach Denny Harper was officially inducted into theÂ
USA Water Polo Hall of Fame on June 14, 2025. Harper was one of five enshrined in the 41st class during a ceremony in Brea, Calif. The honorees represent international athletic excellence as well as gifted coaches and referees who have dedicated their lives to water polo. Harper, who announced his retirement from UC San Diego in July of 2022, spent 42 years at the helm of the UC San Diego men's program. He also led the Triton women's team from 1985 until 1999. His teams combined for 942 victories.
Read the full press release here
WHY THE TRITONS
The Triton is described as the offspring of Poseidon and Amphitrite, a demigod of the sea with a lower part of the body like that of a fish. It is known as a mighty and fierce sea warrior. Given UC San Diego's close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its connections with the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Triton became UC San Diego's mascot in 1964.
FOR THE YOUNGER FANS
Have some young Triton fans in your family? If they are in eighth grade or under, check out theÂ
Junior Triton Club! Membership includes a free t-shirt, admission to over 100 UC San Diego home athletic events, and much more!
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.
