IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's water polo wrapped up their 2025 season in the opening round of the Big West Championship at Anteater Aquatics Complex.

Overall record: 15-12
Conference record: 2-3
Home record: 5-4
Away record: 4-4
Neutral site record: 6-4
Big West finish: 5th
Postseason: Big West Championships - First Round
Final national ranking: 16th CWPA

SCORING CAMPAIGN 
The 2025 squad recorded 364 goals in 27 games played. That was the second highest scoring total in the program's single season history, only falling short of the 400 mark set in the 2024 season. The Anteaters recorded 10+ goals in 22 of their 27 outings. Additionally, five 'Eaters netted 30+ goals, led by Johann Thrall with 60 and Luka Krstic with 45. Wyley Dale (39), Ethan Spoon (32), and Cole Francisco (31), each reached the 30-goal club for the first time in their careers. 

PERSONAL BESTS
Several Anteaters recorded career bests this season. Johann Thrall set a new single-season best with 60 goals on the year, passing the 54 mark that he set last year. Ethan Spoon netted a career-high six goals in a 23-7 victory over Occidental on Sept. 27. Wyley Dale and Jack Stevens each set new career bests in a 21-10 win over Wagner on Oct. 3 when Dale recorded six tallies and Stevens added five. 

WEEKLY HONORS
The 'Eaters received three Big West Player of the Week honors. Cole Francisco got the nod for the second time in his career on Oct 22. He tallied 10 points on four goals and six assists against two top-15 ranked teams. Ethan Spoon received a weekly accolade for the first time in his career on Oct. 1. Spoon recorded 10 goals at the Lancer Joust, including a career-high six against Occidental. Luka Krstic was named the Big West Player of the Week for the fifth time in his career on Sept. 17. Krstic had a pair of multi-goal games against the top-two ranked teams in the country, finishing with two at No. 1 UCLA and three vs. No. 2 USC. 

CONFERENCE FINISH
UC Irvine finished fifth in the Big West after winning back-to-back regular season titles in 2023 and 2024. The 'Eaters finished the conference slate with a 2-3 record following a perfect 5-0 Big West record in 2023. 

BEST OF THE BIG WEST
Four Anteaters received All-Big West honors. Luka Krstic and Cole Francisco earned spots on the All-Big West Second Team. Johann Thrall and Wyley Dale each earned All-Big West Honorable mention distinction.