Behind a combined seven goals from sophomores Nick Rascon and Dan Matulis, the Long Beach State men’s water polo team secured its first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Conference victory on Saturday in a 14-12 double-overtime thriller against Pepperdine.
Rascon scored two of his four goals in the two overtime periods, while sophomore Dan Matulis scored two of his three goals in extra time to lead the 49ers (14-6, 1-3 MPSF) past the Waves at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool in Malibu. Nick Cooper and Luke Hewko had three apiece to pace Pepperdine (12-8, 2-3, MPSF).
Matulis’ goal with 2:28 remaining in the first overtime period proved to be the game-winning goal.
Freshman Devin Mefford broke a 9-9 tie to give LBSU the lead as he scored with 17 seconds remaining in the game, however, Cooper scored with only two seconds left to force a second overtime.
The contest was a see-saw battle, with the largest lead of the contest coming at 5-2 in favor of the Waves in the third quarter. There were 11 ties and lead changes in the match.
Freshmen Milos Vrzic, Mefford, and Hayden Leach added two goals each for the 49ers, with senior Aleksandar Petrovic rounding out the scoring.
Freshman goalkeeper John Mroch totaled eight saves in the victory for LBSU.
Long Beach will travel to rival UC Irvine on Thursday at 7 p.m.
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