BERKELEY, Calif. – The #6 Pacific men's water polo team takes on #2 Cal in the semifinals of the 2022 NCAA Championship Tournament at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.
The Tigers will face the Golden Bears at Cal's Spieker Aquatics Center as Cal is hosting the NCAA tournament.
"What more can you ask for than playing last years champs at their place? This is what we have worked for the last year, for this moment," said Head Coach James Graham. "All the analysis, adaptations and iterations have led us here. It will be a fun environment, filled with urgency."
The Tigers faced the then #1 Bears at the beginning of this year's season and took them to overtime, eventually falling 16-15. But, the team amassed quite a few season-highs.
Senior co-captain Jeremie Cote had a season-high five goals in that September 9 game. Senior Rene Peralta was five-for-five on sprints, winning possession for the Tigers in five quarters. Graduate student goalkeeper Bae Fountain had a season-high 17 saves throughout the game, and sophomore co-captain Reuel D'Souza had a season-high four field blocks.
"We're bringing the same energy we had against Cal previously, we had against UC Davis and in the GCC final to this game against Cal because I think that energy is unmatchable," said senior Djordje Stanic. "I don't want to be too selfish, but I don't think anyone has this energy, and that's why we're unique in this tournament. If we bring the same energy, we're going to win."
Fountain said the team is prepared for Cal, especially the way its been playing defensively.
"Well, Cal is an offensive team. I think they're very similar to us. They've got great shooters. They've got a good center. We'll know what to do. We've already got a game plan," said Fountain. "I'm already looking at the shooters, ensuring I'm not going to get caught off guard by anything. We're going to come in firing. Our defense is going to be crazy. Our offense will happen because that's who we are."
There will be another watch party on Pacific's campus for the Tigers' semifinal game. The watch party will be in The Lair at the DeRosa University Center. The grill will open at 2 p.m. and serve pub fare for fans to enjoy while watching the game on a big screen.
For fans planning to attend the game in Berkeley or supporters living in the area, the Pacific Athletic Foundation is hosting a pre-game reception before the match. The reception will be from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Berkeley. Admission is free and will include lunch and non-alcoholic beverages. Entry does not include a game ticket. Register for the pre-game reception here.
If you have any questions, please contact Bri Legittino at blegittino@pacific.edu or 209-946-2230.
"I'm excited for us to approach the entire experience with the appropriate appreciation, composure and passion for the moment," said Graham. "We talk all the time about championship habits, and this is why we focus on them on a daily basis. You cannot become ready when the stress and environment ratchets up to this level, rather you become ready all year long. We are ready."
#6 Pacific vs. #2 Cal
NCAA Tournament Semifinals
Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.
Live stream: https://www.ncaa.com/game/6079460
Live stats: https://bit.ly/3OXSL9
