No. 9 UCI Opens 2018 Season at Triton Invitational

Saturday, September 1

La Jolla, CA

12:00 PM

UC Irvine

UC San Diego

No. 9 UCI Opens 2018 Season at Triton Invitational

August 28, 2018 | Men's Water Polo

By: Sarah Zetlmeisl

OPENING WEEKEND
Triton Invitational Tournament Central
No. 9 UC Irvine at No. 12 UC San Diego
Saturday, Sept. 1 | 12:00 p.m. | Triton Pool
Live Stats

No. 9 UC Irvine vs. La Verne
Saturday, Sept. 1 | 4:00 p.m. |Triton Pool

No. 9 UC Irvine vs. TBA
Sunday, Sept. 2 | TBA

No. 9 UC Irvine vs. TBA
Sunday, Sept. 2 | TBA

Ninth- ranked UCI opens the 2018 campaign at the Triton Invitational Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 1-2) at Canyonview Aquatics Center on the campus of UC San Diego in La Jolla.

For ticket information click here.

The Anteaters take on host No. 12 UC San Diego Saturday at 12 p.m. then face La Verne at 4 p.m. UCI will play two games on Sunday that will be determined based on Saturday's results.

TOURNAMENT STORYLINES

UCI enters the season ranked ninth in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) national poll after finishing sixth in the final poll last year.
The 'Eaters are 52-13 all-time against the Tritons and defeated UCSD 13-2 at last year's Triton Invite.
UCSD finished last season with an 11-14 record and in second place at the WWPA Tournament.
UCI is 5-0 all-time against La Verne. The last meeting between the two teams came in 2014. The Leopards finished last season with a 6-17 overall record.
The Triton Invitational field includes UCSD (12), Air Force (T-20), Cal (3), Cal Baptist (16), Chapman, Concordia (RV), La Verne, LBSU (6), LMU, Redlands and UCSB (10).
UCI went 2-2 last year at the Triton Invite, beating Fresno Pacific and UCSD and dropping games to UCSB and UC Davis.
The Anteaters were 15-10 last season and finished runner-up to Pacific in the Golden Coast Conference Tournament.
Following this weekend's action in La Jolla, UCI will host the GCC vs. WWPA Conference Clash Saturday, Sept. 8. The 'Eaters play UCSD (10 a.m.) and LMU (3:30 p.m.).

MORE ON THE ANTEATERS

UCI lost four All-Americans from a year ago but return 14 players and welcome nine talented newcomers to this year's squad.
The Anteaters returning leading scorer is All-American senior Jack Trush who tallied 20 goals in 2017.
Fifth-year senior Byron Rivers will provide leadership in goal after finishing last season with a 2.80 goals against average.
Other top returners include Ian Fleenor (8 goals), Jack Baumgardner (7), Casey Lynton (6) and Jon Polos (5).
Two newcomers to watch are South African transfer Jason Evezard and freshman Zlatan Nikocevic from Belgrade, Serbia.
The Anteaters senior leadership includes Jack Trush, Byron Rivers, Miles Kalbus and Carlo Silvestre
Head Coach Marc Hunt enters his 14^th season at the helm behind a 188-166 career record.
Fans will get nine chances to see the Anteaters play at home including next Saturday when UCI hosts UCSD and LMU for the GCC vs. WWPA Conference clash.