No. T-9 ‘Eaters in LA for Conference Clash

Saturday, September 14

Los Angeles, Calif.

11:20 AM

UC Irvine

California Baptist

No. T-9 ‘Eaters in LA for Conference Clash

September 12, 2019 | Men's Water Polo

By: Sarah Zetlmeisl

FOLLOW THE ANTEATERS
No. T-9 UC Irvine (2-2) vs. No. 20 Cal Baptist (1-3)
Saturday, Sept. 14 | 11:20 a.m. | Burns Center
Live Stats

No. T-9 UC Irvine (2-2) at No. 16 LMU (1-3)
Saturday, Sept. 14 | 4:20 p.m. |Burns Center
Live Stats

The T-9th ranked UC Irvine Anteaters head to Los Angeles to play in the GCC/WWPA Conference Clash Saturday, Sept. 14 on the campus of Loyola Marymount. UCI will play two teams from the WWPA including N0. 20 Cal Baptist at 11:20 a.m. followed by No. 16 LMU at 4:20 p.m. Fans can follow live stats via the FOSH.

WEEKEND STORYLINES

UCI jumped up to T-No. 9 in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) national poll after starting the season ranked at No. 13
This will mark the first time this season the 'Eaters play both CBU and LMU
CBU opened its season at the Bruno Fall Classic and finished 1-3 three. The Lancers got a win over Wagner but dropped games to St. Francis, No. 16 Bucknell and No. 20 Brown
UCI dropped a 12-11 decision to CBU last season but holds a 14-2 advantage over the Lancers in all-time series
LMU joined the 'Eaters at the Triton Invite last weekend and finished 1-3. The Lions only win came against Whittier while they picked up losses against Cal, Pepperdine and UC Davis
UCI went 2-0 against the Lions a year ago and holds a 19-8 advantage in the all-time series
Head coach Marc Hunt is one win away from reaching 200 in his career

TRITON INVITE RECAP

UCI finished in fourth-place with a 2-2 record
The Anteaters got off to a good start, upsetting No. 9 UCSD 5-4. Zlatan Nikocevic netted the game-winner while freshman goalie Harrison Land stopped a five-meter penalty shot with 18 seconds to play to secure the victory
UCI earned its second win over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 8-7
The 'Eaters dropped a 10-8 overtime decision to No. 5 Long Beach State before falling to Cal in the third-place game, 11-6
Land finished with 37 saves over four games

TOP PERFORMERS

Casey Lynton leads the Anteaters with eight points (six goals, two assists)
Lynton and Bryant Joudrie each have a team-best five steals
Jon Polos drew nine exclusions and added two assists
Zlatan Nikocevic has four goals on the young season

MORE ON THE ANTEATERS

UC Irvine returns three of its four leading scorers from a year ago including top-scorer and GCC Newcomer of the Year Jason Evezard (64 goals). GCC Honorable Mention selection Casey Lynton returns as the team's leader in assists (28) and steals (43). He also produced 34 goals last season. Seniors Jon Polos and Bryant Jourdie each contributed 24 and 22 goals, respectively
Other top returners include All-GCC Freshman Team honoree Zlatan Nikocevic (17 goals, 12 assists), seniors Ian Fleenor (12 goals, 13 assists), Foster Hoose (11 steals, four goals) and Sven Davidson (7 steals, three goals)
Overall, UCI returns 16 players and welcomes 9 newcomers. The 'Eaters lost 10 letter winners from a year ago
Head Coach Marc Hunt enters his 15^th season at the helm behind a 197-183 career record.
Fans will get seven chances to see the Anteaters play at home including their home opener against last year's NCAA runner-up Stanford on Oct. 13