By Devin Malast
The Long Beach State men’s water polo team gave the home crowd a dominating performance, defeating Long Beach Community College with a 25-3 win, and Biola University with a score of 18-9.
Things started fast against LBCC, with the opening goal coming from sophomore utility player Bruno Chiappini in the first minute of play. From then on, The Beach kept its foot on the gas, scoring one goal after another, leading to a final score of 25-3. This high-scoring game allowed for 11 different players to claim a goal.
Long Beach State men’s water polo junior attacker Evan Cain looks for an open teammate to pass to during a power play against Biola University at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center on Sept. 16. Photo credit: Devin Malast
The game against Biola started out hot as well, with the opening goal coming again from sophomore utility player Bruno Chiappini just 48 seconds into the first quarter. The crowd went wild, and things quickly got heated in the water. Junior goalie Liam Ward committed a penalty that was followed by an ejection, allowing Biola to score their first goal of the game.
Top scorers freshmen attacker Marc Frigola and junior attacker Abdelrahman Soliman bolstered the offensive end with a combined total of six goals. Junior defender Nikola Jancic held down the defensive end, helping to control Biola’s primary scorers.
Long Beach State men’s water polo junior attacker Abdelrahman Soliman gets into shooting position in the game against Biola University at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center. Soliman would record three goals and an assist in the win against Biola on Sept. 16. Photo credit: Devin Malast
A total of 11 steals kept Biola from ever getting in striking distance, while LBSU earned 13 power plays and was able to capitalize on seven of them.
Being that LBSU committed 13 penalties, the team had to fight hard in the second half as three players were in danger of fouling out. Despite the ejections, LBSU’s defense held it down only allowing nine total goals to reach the back of the cage for Biola.
In the fourth quarter, it became clear that LBSU would come out on top, but five more goals were scored, making the final score 18-9. A total of eight different players found success in their shots, and The Beach got back to its winning ways.
LBSU will hold an alumni exhibition game on Sept. 17 at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center. The team will also play in the MPSF Tournament starting on Sept. 22 at the Crawford Pool on UC Irvine’s campus.
