LA JOLLA, Calif. — The Battle of the Kings is afoot.
No. 13/14 UC San Diego men's water polo hosts No. 13/16 LMU Wednesday (6pm) at Canyonview Aquatic Center in the annual spectacle. It is the first game when all students are back on campus and the venue will be packed and loud.
The game can be followed with live video on ESPN+ as well as FOSHÂ live stats, with all links located below.
INSIDE THE GAME
Game 17: Battle of the Kings
• #13/14 UC San Diego (11-5, .688) vs. #13/16Â
LMUÂ (4-5, .444)
• Wednesday, September 24, 6 pm
•
Canyonview Aquatic Center - 3428 Voigt Dr, La Jolla, California 92037
•
Tickets
•
ESPN+
•
FOSH Live Stats
LIONS AND TRITONS AND FANS
The UC San Diego Tritons take on the LMU Lions in the annual Battle of the Kings game at Canyonview Aquatic Center on Wednesday, Sept. 24 with a 6 p.m. start. It's the first week that all students are back on campus and anyone that has been to the BOTK will tell you the atmosphere is electric with over 1,000 fans on site. Annually one of the most anticipated athletic events at UC San Diego, Battle of the Kings will have you battling to get to sleep that night. Who's gonna come out on top - King Triton or the King of the Jungle? Purchase your tickets now from the
Triton Box Office.
BEHIND THE BATTLE
The Battle of the Kings between UC San Diego and LMU is typically held in La Jolla during the first week that UC San Diego students return to campus. It has taken place on a Wednesday evening every year since 2012. Going back to 2005, UC San Diego leads the series 10-8 (there were no match-ups in 2010 and 2020). The Tritons have out-scored the Lions 193-169 over those 18 games.
• 2024: LMU 9, UC San Diego 12 - UC San Diego win
• 2023: LMU 11, UC San Diego 10 - LMU win
• 2022: LMU 10, UC San Diego 9 (SV) - LMU win
• 2021: LMU 13, UC San Diego 14 - UC San Diego win
• 2020: No game due to COVID
• 2019: LMU 17, UC San Diego 16 - LMU win
• 2018: LMU 12, UC San Diego 22 - UC San Diego win
• 2017: LMU 5, UC San Diego 15 - UC San Diego win
• 2016: LMU 10, UC San Diego 11 - UC San Diego win
• 2015: LMU 13, UC San Diego 12 (SV) - LMU win
• 2014: LMU 2, UC San Diego 7 - UC San Diego win
• 2013: LMU 7, UC San Diego 11 - UC San Diego win
• 2012: LMU 8, UC San Diego 10 - UC San Diego win
• 2011: LMU 12, UC San Diego 10 - LMU win
• 2010: No game
• 2009: LMU 7, UC San Diego 4 - LMU win
• 2008: LMU 12, UC San Diego 11 - LMU win
• 2007: LMU 9, UC San Diego 4 - LMU win
• 2006: LMU 7, UC San Diego 8 - UC San Diego win
• 2005: LMU 5, UC San Diego 7 - UC San Diego win
AKERSTROM MAKES HISÂ RETURN
After sitting out the first 11 games of 2025,
Landon Akerstrom staged his return to play on Sept. 18 at Concordia. In the 15-3 win, Akerstrom rang up three points on a goal and two assists. He also logged a steal and a sprint win
YOU SCORED HOW MANY GOALS?!?!?!
UC San Diego defeated Chapman, 26-7, on Sept. 12 in Orange County. The 26 goals are the most scored by the Tritons since Sept. 22, 2012, when they downed Occidental 27-1 at Whittier College.
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 9/23)
| Team |
Big West |
% |
Overall |
% |
| Long Beach State |
0-0 |
- |
9-4 |
.692 |
| UC San Diego |
0-0 |
- |
11-5 |
.688 |
| UC Irvine |
0-0 |
- |
7-5 |
.583 |
| UC Santa Barbara |
0-0 |
- |
11-9 |
.550 |
| Cal State Fullerton |
0-0 |
- |
7-7 |
.500 |
| UC Davis |
0-0 |
- |
5-6 |
.455 |
Â
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 (9/17) |
2025 CWPA NATIONAL POLL (9/17) |
2025 BIG WEST COACHES' PRESEASON POLL |
| 1. UCLA |
1. UCLA |
1. Long Beach State, 29 (5) |
| 2. USC |
2. USC |
2. UC San Diego, 20 (1) |
| 3. California |
3. California |
3. UCÂ Irvine, 18 |
| 4. Fordham |
4. Stanford |
4. UC Davis, 13 |
| 5. Stanford |
5. Fordham |
5.UC Santa Barbara, 9 |
| 6. San Jose State |
6. San Jose State |
6. Cal State Fullerton, 6 |
| 7. Long Beach State |
7. Long Beach State |
|
| 8. UC Irvine |
8. UC Irvine |
2025 BIG WEST COACHES' PRESEASON TEAM |
| 9. UC Davis |
t-9. Pacific |
Gabi Acosta, Long Beach State |
| 10. Pacific |
t-9. Princeton |
Landon Akerstrom, UC San Diego |
| 11. Princeton |
11. UC Davis |
Felipe Ferreira, UC San Diego |
| 12. Pepperdine |
12. Pepperdine |
Caleb Francisco, Long Beach State |
| 13. UC San Diego |
13. LMU |
Thomas Kiesling, UC Davis |
| 14. Santa Clara |
14. UC San Diego |
Luka Krstic, UC Irvine |
| 15. California Baptist |
15. Santa Clara |
Jack Stevens, UC Irvine |
| 16. LMU |
16. California Baptist |
Brock Zamanian, UC Santa Barbara |
| 17. UC Santa Barbara |
17. UC Santa Barbara |
|
| 18. Brown |
18. Brown |
|
| 19. George Washington |
19. George Washington |
|
| 20. Navy |
20. Concordia |
|
|
|
|
| UCSD:Â 12,13,13 |
UCSD: 12,13,13,14 |
|
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 9/23)
•
Eamon Hennessey, 5
•
Lucas Romaguera, 3
•
Bennett Axline, 2
GAME WINNING GOALS (through 9/23)
•
Eamon Hennessey, 3 (UC Davis, Concordia 2, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps)
•
Felipe Ferreira, 2Â (George Washington, La Verne)
•
Luca Rago, 2 (Cal Lutheran, Occidental)
•
Bennett Axline, 1 (LMU)
•
Mark Laurlund, 1 (Concordia 1)
•
Christian Hammonds, 1 (Princeton)
•
Lucas Romaguera, 1 (Chapman)
TOP TRITON SCORERS GOAL BREAKDOWN (through 9/23)
TRITON RECORDS (through 9/23)
| Overall |
11-5 |
| Big West |
0-0 |
| Non-conference |
11-5 |
| At home |
3-4 |
| On the road |
2-0 |
| At at neutral site |
6-1 |
| 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 |
0-0 |
| Scoring 13-15 goals |
5-0 |
| Scoring 16-18 goals |
1-0 |
| Scoring 19-20 goals |
3-0 |
| Scoring 21-plus goals |
2-0 |
| More shots than opponent |
10-2 |
| Opponent has more shots |
1-2 |
| Shots are even |
0-1 |
| More steals than opponent |
8-3 |
| Opponent has more steals |
1-2 |
| Steals are even |
2-0 |
| More exclusions than opponent |
4-1 |
| Opponent has more exclusions |
5-4 |
| Exclusions are even |
2-0 |
| On Thursdays |
1-0 |
| On Fridays |
6-1 |
| On Saturdays |
2-2 |
| 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 |
11 |
5 |
.688 |
Big West |
0 |
0 |
- |
12 ACWPC/12 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 |
59 |
43 |
.578 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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.
