Big Second Half Keeps No. 5 Pacific Unbeaten
LA JOLLA, Calif. – Tied 4-4 at the intermission, the No. 5 Pacific men's water program broke away from No. 16 UC San Diego in the second half for a 13-8 win Saturday at the Canyonview Aquatic Center.
The key moment came midway in the third quarter when the Tigers (9-0) scored three straight to go up 9-6. The go-ahead goal came from senior Mihailo Vukazic, and Pacific extended it on scores by graduate Oliver Fodor and senior Reuel D'Souza.
The Tigers, who never trailed in the game, proceeded to outscore UC San Diego (7-7) 3-1 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
"We played a really strong team in a very difficult environment. I'm proud of our effort and championship habits in the third quarter and I'm looking forward to the second half of the season," said head coach James Graham.
Vukazic led the offense with four goals and is up to a team-high 32 on the season. Vukazic has scored 11 times in the last two games.
Hat tricks came from Fodor, D'Souza and senior Jeremie Cote. D'Souza also dished out four assists for a game-high seven points.
In net, graduate Bae Fountain made 10 saves to earn the win.
Pacific is 9-0 for the first time since 2016 when it started 11-0. The Tigers have won six straight against the Tritons dating back to 2010.
Pacific will conclude its season-opening 10-match road stretch on Friday, Oct. 11 when it plays its West Coast Conference opener at San Jose State at noon. The Tigers will play their home opener Sunday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. against Long Beach State at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center.
Stay Social
For all the latest on Pacific men's water polo, be sure to follow the team on X (@UOPWaterPoloU), Instagram (@pacificwaterpolo) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (Pacific Men's Water Polo).
#PacificProud
The key moment came midway in the third quarter when the Tigers (9-0) scored three straight to go up 9-6. The go-ahead goal came from senior Mihailo Vukazic, and Pacific extended it on scores by graduate Oliver Fodor and senior Reuel D'Souza.
The Tigers, who never trailed in the game, proceeded to outscore UC San Diego (7-7) 3-1 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
"We played a really strong team in a very difficult environment. I'm proud of our effort and championship habits in the third quarter and I'm looking forward to the second half of the season," said head coach James Graham.
Vukazic led the offense with four goals and is up to a team-high 32 on the season. Vukazic has scored 11 times in the last two games.
Hat tricks came from Fodor, D'Souza and senior Jeremie Cote. D'Souza also dished out four assists for a game-high seven points.
In net, graduate Bae Fountain made 10 saves to earn the win.
Pacific is 9-0 for the first time since 2016 when it started 11-0. The Tigers have won six straight against the Tritons dating back to 2010.
Pacific will conclude its season-opening 10-match road stretch on Friday, Oct. 11 when it plays its West Coast Conference opener at San Jose State at noon. The Tigers will play their home opener Sunday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. against Long Beach State at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center.
Stay Social
For all the latest on Pacific men's water polo, be sure to follow the team on X (@UOPWaterPoloU), Instagram (@pacificwaterpolo) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (Pacific Men's Water Polo).
#PacificProud
