LONG BEACH, Calif. – The #4 Pacific men's water polo team (15-3) begins Golden Coast Conference play this weekend against #6 Long Beach State (12-5) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center.
"It's the start of conference, which means it's go time, and we're ready to go," said Head Coach James Graham. "It's time for us to play our best water polo. We're looking forward to each matchup."
Saturday's game will be a rematch of the 2021 GCC title game, where the Beach defeated the Tigers 13-9
Since the first-ever meeting between the two programs, the Tigers hold a 24-10 record against the Beach and have won 10 of the last 15 matchups.
The Tigers have already faced off against the Beach this season, earning a 13-10 non-conference win at the MPSF Tournament on September 25. Senior Bogdan Djerkovic led the team in goals, tallying five during that contest.
Pacific went 2-1 last weekend, defeating Long Island (15-4) and Pomona-Pitzer (17-11), while falling in a tight one with #2 UCLA, 12-11. In the heartbreaker against UCLA, sophomore Mihailo Vukazic and senior Matthew Hosmer led the attack with three goals each. Senior Jeremie Cote had two goals. Sophomore Reuel D'Souza had one goal to go with a team-high three assists.
Senior Calvin Behm has been a key player for the Tigers' second line. This weekend in the game against Long Island, he led the team with four goals. In 18 matches this season, Behm has doubled his season total in goals with eight.
Graduate student goalkeeper Bae Fountain is tied for first in the GCC with 106 saves. Senior Joey MacLeane is fifth with 54.
D'Souza leads Pacific with 57 points, placing him tied for third in the GCC. He's also fourth in the conference for assists with 25.
Djerkovic leads the team with 38 goals, placing him second in the GCC. He's followed by Vukazic, tied for second in the conference with 37 and Hosmer at third with 36.
Fans can follow along with Saturday's game here: https://www.thefosh.net/live/13184
To stay up to date on all things Pacific men's water polo, download the Pacific Tigers Athletics mobile app and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
