IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine men's water polo team is ready to jump into action for the first time since 2019.

The Anteaters get the 2021 campaign started at home on Saturday, Sept. 4 with games against Chapman at 10 a.m. followed by Redlands at 3:30 p.m.

UCI's roster boasts a lot of new faces as well as some experienced returning talent as the 'Eaters will officially compete together for the first time since Nov. 2019.  

"The team's anticipation of return to the fall 2021 season has amounted to an immeasurable effort of preparation," said head coach Marc Hunt. "Where this group may have lacked the training opportunity throughout the last year and half, they've undoubtedly surpassed our expectations with their current resolve."

RETURNING TALENT
UC Irvine returns three all-conference players from the 2019 season including second team all-conference honoree senior Casey Lynton. Lynton was second on the team in goals (26), assists (21) and steals (21). He started every game for the 'Eaters in 2019 and has tallied 60 career goals.

Sophomore Chad Gornay and sophomore goalkeeper Harrison Land, who were both name on the GCC All-Freshman Team in 2019, also return for the 'Eaters. Gornay saw action in every game and scored nine goals, dished out 10 assists and drew eight exclusions.

Land started 16 games in goal, tallying 139 saves, good for fourth in the conference as a freshman. He finished his first year campaign with a .471 save percentage and a 9.75 goals against average.

Zlatan Nikocevic will also provide experience he finished the 2019 season with 18 goals while veterans Ivan Mercep and Carson Arnett had 13 and eight, respectively.

At center, Grant Chiponis and Kiyan Mohebbizadeh are expected to provide force and improve on their performances from the 2019 season.

Micheal Swieca will also provide veteran leadership and depth to the talented Anteater team.

"Our team will provides a good combination of experience with Zlatan Nikocevic, Casey Lynton, Michael Swieca, and Carson Arnett. Centers Grant Chiponis and Kiyan Mohebbizadeh will add to this force. It's now on us to see how quickly we can develop our chemistry, team attitude, and resilience, to form a strong unit. There is no slouch in the Golden Coast Conference. Every team is tough as nails, and we will be ready when that green flag drops. This is an exciting team to coach," said Hunt.

NEW FACES
The UCI roster will look almost entirely different with the addition of 18 new Anteaters. Joining Land in goal is newcomer Zayd Mahmoud, a USA National Youth Team player. Dylan Patist, Tyler Padua, Jacob Pyle and Nikola Ilic are also expected to make an immediate impact on the roster.

The new faces also include assistant coaches Bojan Hrlec and Randy Galza. Hrlec, a UCI alum, returns to his alma mater after coaching several club teams in the area. Hrlec was an All-American for the 'Eaters and graduated on the Dean's List in 2014. Galza joins the staff as a goalkeeper coach. He has several years of experience developing some of the top goalkeepers in the area.

"New faces all around, almost too many to list," said Hunt. "As the team would attest, the addition of coaches Hrlec and Galza have shown an immediate impact. Newcomers Dylan Patist, Jacob Pyle, Tyler Padua and Nikola Ilic only scratch the surface of the first year Anteaters expected to have major influence."

WHAT'S IN STORE
Fans will get plenty of chances to catch the 'Eaters at home as they will play eight regular season games at Anteater Aquatics Complex and host the 2021 Golden Coast Conference Championships. It will be the first time UCI hosts the tournament since 2017. UCI will also be tested playing several teams ranked within the top-15 nationally and compete in two early season tournaments icluding the Inland Emprire Classic (Sept. 11-12) and the MPSF Invitational (Sept. 24-26). 

"Our goalie Corp is impressive top to bottom" said Hunt. "Newcomer Zayd Mahmoud joins us from the USA National Youth Team. With returner Harrison Land leading, and Coach Galza directing, we are confident we will see exceptional play from several of our goalies."

UCI will look to improve its 2019 overall record of 7-16  with a mix of new and veteran talent.