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Tigers Open MPSF Tournament Friday
Stockton, Calif. -
What's Happening
The No. 7 Pacific men's water polo team will participate in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament this week, beginning with a 10 a.m. tilt versus top-seeded USC on Friday, November 25. The tournament runs until Sunday, November 27, with the Tigers playing a single game each day.
MPSF Tournament Info
Fans can track the Tigers throughout the MPSF Tournament by visiting the tournament's official website. Pacific's match with USC will have a live video broadcast.
Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the tournament's website.
Last Week In Brief
Pacific played its final regular-season match last Saturday, November 19, defeating then-No. 8 Long Beach State 11-6, earning an MPSF Tournament bid in the process. The Tigers honored their 10-man senior class prior to the match.
Koning Named Player Of The Week
Senior Tom Koning earned MPSF Player of the Week honors Monday, November 21, as announced by the conference office.
The 6-2 attacker from Poway, Calif., tallied a season high-tying five goals in the Tigers' 11-6 win over then-No. 8 Long Beach State on Saturday, November 19. He scored a pair of goals in the first quarter, his second breaking a 3-3 tie and starting a streak of four consecutive scores that put Pacific up 7-4 midway through the third quarter. The victory also saw the Tigers clinch a spot in the MPSF Tournament for the third straight season.
The five goals put Koning over the 50-goal plateau on the year, marking the third straight season in which he has recorded at least 48 goals. It also marked his 14th multi-goal game of the year and 43rd of his career. Lastly, it upped Koning's career total to 155 goals, putting him eighth all-time in Pacific history.
News And Notes
The Tigers clinched their third straight bid to the MPSF Tournament after defeating Long Beach State last weekend.
Pacific's 11-6 win over Long Beach State broke a streak of four consecutive matches that came down to a single goal. The Tigers have played in 10 matches this season that were decided by one score. Pacific has also seen seven of its matches extend into overtime, with two requiring a sudden-victory period to determine a winner.
In his final game Kjeldsen Pool, senior Tom Koning netted five goals to lead the Tigers to a win over Long Beach State. The five goals matched his season high that he set against Santa Clara earlier this season. The five goals also put Koning over the 50-goal plateau this year.
Sophomore Alex Malkis recorded his second straight 14-save outing against Long Beach State. He now has 12 multi-save outings on the year and 19 in his career.
Sophomore Balazs Erdelyi scored twice against Long Beach State last weekend, extending his scoring streak to 21 consecutive matches. Erdelyi also scored his 50th goal of the season in the match.
Climbing The Charts
Senior Tom Koning tallied his 150th goal versus USC on November 13. He now has 155 career goals, good for eighth all-time in Pacific history. He needs just three goals to move into sixth and eight goals to move into fifth.
Sophomore Balazs Erdelyi reached the 100 career goal mark against USC on November 13. It took him just 49 games to reach the plateau. He also needs just one assists to eclipse the 100-assist plateau.
Sophomore Alex Malkis recorded his 400th career save against USC on November 13. It took him just 45 matches to reach that plateau. He now sits fourth all-time in Pacific history with 414 career blocks.
MPSF Stat Rankings
Sophomore Balazs Erdelyi owns an average of 2.32 goals per game, good for fourth in the conference. His 51 goals on the year are sixth-most in the league.
Koning is one spot back from Erdelyi, ranking fifth with a 2.26 goals per game average. He has 52 scores this season, good for fifth-most in the conference.
Junior Goran Tomasevic ranks 13th with a 1.70 goals per game average.
Sophomore Alex Malkis is saving an average of 10.26 shots per game, good for second. His 200 saves are the most by any goalkeeper in the MPSF.
Scouting USC
The Trojans earned the MPSF Tournament's top seed after finishing conference play undefeated. USC owns a 20-2 record on the year and have not lost since October 2, winning 11 straight matches.
Senior Peter Kurzeka paces the Trojans with an average of 1.75 goals per game. He is one of three USC players ranked in the top 25 in the MPSF in scoring average. Senior goalkeeer Joel Dennerley, winner of last season's MPSF Player of the Year award, is saving an average of 9.19 shots per game while allowing 5.24 goals per game, the lowest average in the league.
Pacific fell to USC in the lone match-up this season. The Trojans eked out an 11-10 overtime win on November 13 at Kjeldsen Pool. The Tigers had four players net two goals apiece while sophomore Alex Malkis registered 14 blocks.
