USAFA, Colo. – Getting off to a slow start, the sixth-ranked and top-seeded Pacific men's water polo program attempted to rally in the second half, but 15th-ranked and fifth-seeded Cal Baptist was able to hold off the Tigers 15-12 in the West Coast Conference Semifinals on Saturday at Cadet Natatorium, hosted by Air Force.
 
Pacific (15-8, 5-1 WCC) fell behind by six goals late in the first half after CBU (24-10, 3-3 WCC) erupted for eight goals in the second quarter. The Tigers cut it to a two-goal deficit twice in the fourth quarter and had the ball to trim it further, but the Lancers were able to make defensive stands to stay ahead.
 
WCC Freshman of the Year Apostolos Georgaras recorded a hat trick. Sophomore Ori Buzaglo, sophomore Yoav Rendler and freshman Borisz Kasa-Gal notched two goals apiece. Senior Daniel Viscia and freshman Petar Popovic each scored once.
 
Pacific used a pair of goalkeepers as freshman Kiss Gergely got the start and junior Benjamin Gronbach provided a spark at halftime. They combined for seven saves and a steal.
 
The Tigers grabbed a pair of first quarter leads, 2-1 and 3-2, before the Lancers went on an 8-1 run to leap ahead 10-4 at the 2:40 mark of the second quarter.
 
A goal by Rendler got it down to 13-11 with 6:24 remaining in the fourth. The Tigers had an opportunity to reduce it to a one-goal game after getting the ball back on a power play, but CBU was able to deny a scoring opportunity.
 
Pacific is now 18-3 all-time against CBU.
 
The Tigers earned the top seed after winning the WCC Regular Season Championship for the second year in a row. They were picked to finish third in the WCC Preseason Poll.
 
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