'Eaters Host Concordia in Home Opener on Friday

Friday, September 15

Irvine, CA

7:00 p.m.

UC Irvine

Concordia

Photo by: Glenn Feingerts

'Eaters Host Concordia in Home Opener on Friday

September 13, 2017 | Men's Water Polo

Concordia (6-3) at
No. 10 UC Irvine (4-2)
Date: Friday, Sept. 15
Time: 7 p.m. (PDT)
Location: Anteater Aquatics Complex - Irvine, Calif.

THIS WEEK
The 10th-ranked UC Irvine men's water polo team will make its home debut this week as it hosts Concordia on Friday, Sept. 15. First sprint is set for 7 p.m. at the Anteater Aquatics Complex.

DON'T MISS OUT
Food from Newport Rib Company will be given to the first 200 pre-registered fans on Friday. All home games are complimentary, but fans are required to REGISTER ONLINE to be eligible for all giveaways (see the full promotional schedule here). Please note that registration does not guarantee the giveaway as it is on a first-come, first-served basis.

All giveaways were made possible by the generous donation of a UCI booster.

GCC VS. WWPA CHALLENGE RECAP
UC Irvine went 2-0 at the GCC vs. WWPA Conference Challenge in Malibu on Saturday, Sept. 9. The Anteaters opened the one-day tournament with a 12-7 victory over No. 13 UC San Diego. UCI had a balanced attack with Lovre Milos, Casey Lynton, Robby Stiefel, Brendan Duffy and Miles Kalbus scoring two goals each. Matej Matijevic anchored the defense with 16 saves.

Later in the afternoon, the 'Eaters took down No. 18 Loyola Marymount, 15-8, for their third-straight win. Milos posted a season-high five goals to go along with two assists. Jack Trush added a season-best three goals, while Stiefel and Fynn Schuetze contributed two goals apiece. Stiefel also tallied a team-high five assists. Matijevic played three periods and had 10 saves before Byron Rivers closed out the final eight minutes with three saves.

A GLANCE AT CONCORDIA
Concordia (6-3), which was receiving votes in the national rankings, won three of its four games at the Inland Empire Classic last weekend. The Eagles defeated La Verne, Whittier College and Redlands, while falling to Pepperdine. CUI is a member of the Western Water Polo Association.

This is the third consecutive year UC Irvine welcomes Concordia to the Anteater Aquatics Complex. The 'Eaters won each of the last two contests and outscored the Eagles, 38-12. In 2016, UCI earned a 13-3 victory with Jack Trush scoring a game-high three goals. Ryan Warde, Jon Polos and Ian Fleenor added two goals each. Goalkeeper Matej Matijevic also finished with 11 saves.

NEWS AND NOTES
The 'Eaters moved up one spot in the Collegiate Water Polo Association rankings as they were 10th in the latest poll released on Sept. 13.

UCI is riding a three-game win streak, and has outscored its opponents, 40-17, during that stretch.

The Anteaters have been a strong second half team, scoring a combined 41 goals and allowing only 16 in the third and fourth quarters.

Senior Lovre Milos has led UC Irvine in scoring in five of the team's six games. He recorded at least two goals in each of those five outings including a season-high five against Loyola Marymount on Sept. 9. In addition, Milos is tops on the team with six assists and nine steals.

Senior goalkeeper Matej Matijevic has started every game, totaling 72 saves (12.0/gm) in 168 minutes played. He has reached double digits in each of the last five outings with a career-high tying 18 stops against then No. 6 UC Santa Barbara.

Freshmen Fynn Schuetze and Jack Baumgardner each netted three goals in their collegiate debut against Fresno Pacific on Sept. 2. Schuetze ranks second on the team with 13 goals and eight steals.

Seniors Robby Stiefel and Antoine Lena have also been solid all-around for the 'Eaters. In six games, Stiefel has recorded seven goals, six assists and eight steals, while Lena has six goals, five assists and seven steals.

After scoring two goals in the first five games, junior All-American Jack Trush erupted for three in a 15-8 win against Loyola Marymount on Sept. 9.

The Anteaters have a busy week ahead as they travel to Cal Baptist for a 7 p.m. showdown next Wednesday (Sept. 20), before making their way to Los Angeles for the Mountain Pacific Invitational, Sept. 22-24.