LA JOLLA, Calif. — No. 7 UC San Diego men's water polo plays Friday at No. 14 Cal Baptist and a conference regular season title is on the line. Saturday, the Tritons travel to third-ranked UCLA.
Friday night's winner in Riverside will be guaranteed at least a share of the Big West regular season title.
UC San Diego, California Baptist, and UC Santa Barbara all own 3-1 records in conference play. UC Santa Barbara plays its final Big West regular season game Sunday at Cal State Fullerton. If the Gauchos defeat the Titans, Friday night's victor will share the title with UCSB. If the Titans down the Gauchos, Friday night's winner will own the 2026 Big West regular crown outright.
The Big West Championship is set for November 20-22 at Long Beach State. The winner earns an automatic berth in the National Collegiate Championship, hosted by UC San Diego December 4-6 at Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla.
INSIDE THE GAMES
Game 24 - Big West
• #7 UC San Diego (16-7, 3-1) at #14
Cal Baptist (23-8, 3-1)
• Friday, November 6, 5 p.m.
•
Lancer Aquatics Center | Riverside, Calif.
•
History vs. Cal Baptist
•
ESPN+
•
Live Stats
Game 25 - Non-Conference
• #7 UC San Diego (16-7) at #3
UCLA (17-3)
• Saturday, November 7, 1 p.m.
•
Spieker Aquatics Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
•
History vs. UCLA
•
Watch
•
Live Stats
2026 SEASON ON THE TABLE
|
TRITON ROSTER BREAKDOWN |
|
| Returners (16) |
Newcomers (9) |
Lost (10) |
| Landon Akerstrom, Sr., Utility |
Nolan Anderson, Fr., Attacker |
Bennett Axline, Utility |
| Razvan Alistar, Jr., Utility |
Jack Elder, Fr., Goalie |
Ante Buzov, Utility |
| Liam Amburgey, Jr., Attacker |
Boston Frost, Jr., Goalie |
Felipe Ferreira, Attacker |
| Kyson Becker, So. Attacker |
Chase Marsolf, Jr., Utility |
Brendon Fezzey, Utility |
| Jaime Bhattacharyya, Sr. Attacker |
Orlando Mina, Fr., Attacker |
Cole Harman, Attacker |
| Jackson Boettner, So., Utility |
Lucas Pearce, Fr., Center |
Eamon Hennessey, Utility |
| Finn Bugelli, Sr., Center |
Michael Rodgers, Jr., Defender |
Mark Laurlund, Utility |
| Dusan Djordjevic, So., Utility |
Bryan Shapirshteyn, Fr., Utility |
Winston Loh, Goalie |
| Christian Hammonds, Jr., Attacker |
Jack Wright, Jr., Attacker |
Nolan Roberts, Attacker |
| Caleb Harrison, So., Defender |
|
Lucas Romaguera, Attacker |
| Alex Hegeman, Jr., Goalie |
|
|
| Grant Kurtz, Jr. Attacker |
|
|
| Reef Lippa, 5th Year, Attacker |
|
|
| Mason Presley, Sr., Utility |
|
|
| Lachlan Rossi, Jr., Center |
|
|
| Davidka Skov, So., Attacker |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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2026 BIG WEST STANDINGS (through 11/5)
| Team |
Big West |
% |
Overall |
% |
| Cal Baptist |
3-1 |
.750 |
23-8 |
.742 |
| UC Santa Barbara |
3-1 |
.750 |
21-9 |
.700 |
| UC San Diego |
3-1 |
.750 |
16-7 |
.696 |
| UC Irvine |
2-2 |
.500 |
17-7 |
.708 |
| Long Beach State |
1-3 |
.250 |
15-8 |
.652 |
| Cal State Fullerton |
0-4 |
.000 |
17-12 |
.586 |
TRITONS AMONG BIG WEST LEADERS (through 11/5)
| 2026 ACWPC NATIONAL POLL (11/5) |
2026 CWPA NATIONAL POLL (11/4) |
2026 BIG WEST COACHES' PRESEASON POLL |
| 1. Stanford |
1. California |
1. Long Beach State, 24 (4) |
| 2. California |
2. Stanford |
2. UC Irvine, 19 (1) |
| 3. UCLA |
3. UCLA |
t-3. UC San Diego, 16 (1) |
| 4. USC |
4. USC |
t-3. California Baptist, 16 |
| 5. Fordham |
5. Fordham |
5.UC Santa Barbara, 10 |
| 6. Princeton |
6. Princeton |
6. Cal State Fullerton, 5 |
| 7. UC San Diego |
7. UC San Diego |
|
| 8. UC Santa Barbara |
8. UC Santa Barbara |
2026 BIG WEST COACHES' PRESEASON TEAM |
| 9. Long Beach State |
9. UC Irvine |
Gabi Acosta, Long Beach State |
| 10. UC Irvine |
t-10. LMU |
Landon Akerstrom, UC San Diego |
| 11. UC Davis |
t-10. UC Davis |
Cole Francisco, UC Irvine |
| 12. LMU |
12. Long Beach State |
Alex Hegeman, UC San Diego |
| 13. Pacific |
13. Pacific |
Charlie Johnson, UC Santa Barbara |
| t-14. Cal Baptist |
14. California Baptist |
Andrea Nuzzo, California Baptist |
| t-14. San Jose State |
15. San Jose State |
Corbin Stanley, Long Beach State |
| 16. Pepperdine |
16. Pepperdine |
|
| 17. Navy |
17. Navy |
|
| 18. Santa Clara |
18. Santa Clara |
|
| 19. Harvard |
19. Harvard |
|
| t-20. Saint Mary's |
t-20. Brown |
|
| t-20 Pomona-Pitzer |
t-20. Pomona-Pitzer |
|
| UCSD: 8,8,8,7,10,9,9,7 |
UCSD: 12,8,8,9,7,12,10,8,11,7,7 |
|
JACKSON BOETTNER NAMED BIG WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jackson Boettner was tabbed the Big West Men's Water Polo Player of the Week on Oct. 28. He was instrumental as the Tritons went 2-1 over three-straight days of action last week. The sophomore rang up 14 points on seven goals and seven assists while adding six steals, three field blocks, and two drawn exclusions. In a huge 16-15 Big West win on the road at No. 6 UC Irvine, Boettner had a team co-high five points with a hat trick and a pair of assists. His versatility was key as he also collected a drawn exclusion, a steal, and a field block. The next day, Boettner had seven points with two goals and five assists as the Tritons topped No. 8 LMU in La Jolla. His assist total established a new single game career high and his seven points equaled his most in one game. In addition, his four steals equaled his career high. Finally, in a matinee against second-ranked Stanford at home, Boettner wrapped up his versatile three-day stint with two more goals, a steal, and a field block.
LANDON AKERSTROM NAMED BIG WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior utility
Landon Akerstrom was named the Big West Player of the Week on Oct. 14. Akerstrom led UC San Diego to a huge Big West road win at No. 7 Long Beach State on Oct. 9. He racked up a season-high five points with four goals and an assist and tacked on a steal as well. His goal with 2:38 remaining in the game proved to be the game-winner against the Big West preseason favorite. It was Akerstrom's third game back in action after sitting out since September of 2025 due to injury. A native of Costa Mesa, Calif., Akerstrom was selected to the 2026 Big West Preseason Coaches' Team. It was the second career Big West Player of the Week honor for Akerstrom (10/16/24).
2006 TRITONS HONORED
At halftime of the game on Oct. 16 in La Jolla, the 2006 Triton team was honored for the 20th anniversary of its WWPA Conference Championship and NCAA National Championship appearance
ACTIVE SCORING STREAKS (through 11/5)
23 -
Christian Hammonds
6 -
Jackson Boettner
4 -
Finn Bugelli
3 -
Jaime Bhattacharyya
2 -
Liam Amburgey
GAME WINNING GOALS (through 11/5)
2 -
Christian Hammonds (Pomona-Pitzer, Cal State Fullerton 1)
2 -
Mason Presley (Redlands, UC Irvine 1)
2 -
Michael Rodgers (Cal State Fullerton, LMU 2)
2 -
Jack Wright (Bucknell, Pepperdine 1)
1 -
Landon Akerstrom (Long Beach State)
1 -
Liam Amburgey (La Verne)
1 -
Nolan Anderson (Mercyhurst)
1 -
Finn Bugelli (Pepperdine 2)
1 -
Caleb Harrison (Chapman)
1 -
Reef Lippa (Concordia)
1 -
Lachlan Rossi (UC Irvine 2)
1 -
Davidka Skov (McKendree)
TOP TRITON SCORERS GOAL BREAKDOWN (through 11/5)
RECORDS (through 11/5)
| Overall |
16-7 |
| Big West |
3-1 |
| Non-conference |
13-6 |
| At home |
8-4 |
| On the road |
3-1 |
| At at neutral site |
5-2 |
| In overtime |
2-1 |
| Scoring 0-3 goals |
0-0 |
| Scoring 4-6 goals |
0-0 |
| Scoring 7-9 goals |
0-5 |
| Scoring 10-12 goals |
2-1 |
| Scoring 13-15 goals |
2-0 |
| Scoring 16-18 goals |
5-1 |
| Scoring 19-20 goals |
4-0 |
| Scoring 21-plus goals |
3-0 |
| On Wednesdays |
0-1 |
| On Fridays |
10-1 |
| On Saturdays |
4-3 |
| On Sundays |
2-2 |
HAMMONDS ON TRITONCAST
Christian Hammonds was the latest guest on UC San Diego Athletics' official podcast Tritoncast. Hear what he had to say
HERE.
DEBUT REVIEW
Nine players made their debut for the Tritons during the season-opening Triton Invitational.
•
Nolan Anderson (Bucknell, 8/28)
•
Jack Elder (Mercyhurst, 8/28)
•
Boston Frost (Bucknell, 8/28)
•
Caleb Harrison (Buckell, 8/28)
•
Chase Martsolf (Bucknell, 828)
•
Lucas Pearce (Bucknell, 8/28)
•
Michael Rodgers (Bucknell, 8/28)
•
Bryan Shapirshteyn (Bucknell, 8/28)
•
Jack Wright (Bucknell, 8/28)
TRITONS 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
THEY CALL HIM USHA
UC San Diego is led by fifth-year head coach Matt "Usha" Ustaszewski, who took over in 2022 when Denny Harper retired after 42 years at the helm. Usha won his 80th career game this season on Oct. 2 when the Tritons downed Pomona-Pitzer, 16-10 on the road. 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.
| Season |
Wins |
Losses |
Pct. |
Conference/Finish |
Wins |
Losses |
Pct. |
| 2026 |
16 |
7 |
.697 |
Big West |
3 |
1 |
.750 |
| 2025 |
21 |
10 |
677 |
Big West/4th |
2 |
3 |
.400 |
| 2024 |
17 |
12 |
.586 |
Big West/2nd |
3 |
2 |
.600 |
| 2023 |
17 |
13 |
.567 |
Big West/3rd |
3 |
2 |
.600 |
| 2022 |
14 |
13 |
.519 |
WWPA/3rd |
6 |
2 |
.750 |
| Totals |
85 |
55 |
.607 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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 the
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.
