Story Links STANFORD, Calif. — Long Beach State, the Big West champion, was defeated by No. 3 Fordham, 16-11, in the first round of the 2024 NC Men’s National Collegiate Water Polo Championship, held on Friday evening at Avery Aquatics Center in Stanford, Calif. Fordham jumped to an early 2-0 lead, but LBSU quickly answered back to tie […]
STANFORD, Calif. — Long Beach State, the Big West champion, was defeated by No. 3 Fordham, 16-11, in the first round of the 2024 NC Men’s National Collegiate Water Polo Championship, held on Friday evening at Avery Aquatics Center in Stanford, Calif.
Fordham jumped to an early 2-0 lead, but LBSU quickly answered back to tie the score at 2-2, before the Rams reclaimed the lead with another goal, ending the first quarter at 3-2 in their favor.
In the second quarter, both teams faced unsuccessful penalty attempts as the goalkeepers made vital saves. Fordham then went on to increase its lead to 7-5 by halftime, with each of LBSU’s five goals in the first half credited to different players, including Gabi Acosta, Evan Cain, Caleb Francisco, and Harper Stewart.
Fordham took control by scoring three consecutive goals, pushing their advantage to 10-5. LBSU responded with two goals from Alec Johnson and Acosta, but Fordham’s eight goals in the third quarter left the Beach trailing 13-7.
In the last quarter, the Rams’ offense proved too powerful for LBSU, who ultimately lost, 11-16.
Andras Toth of Fordham led all players in the pool with four goals, while Thomas Lercari contributed three steals and four saves for the Rams to secure the win.
Stewart matched his career-high for a freshman with three goals and assists, leading Long Beach State with a hat trick. 2024 Big West Men’s Water Polo Championship MVP Aaron Wilson made 11 saves and secured three steals in the loss, marking his fifth double-digit save game this season.
The Beach concludes their season with a 20-11 record. LBSU entered the national postseason after a challenging run in The Big West Championship, defeating UC San Diego 10-8 in the final to gain an automatic berth.
Today’s outcome marked Long Beach State’s first NCAA Championship game appearance since 2011. Throughout its history, the Black and Gold have participated in the national tournament 14 times.
No. 3 Fordham remains unbeaten, improving to 31-0 overall, and is set to face No. 2 seed Southern California in the semifinals of the 2024 National Collegiate Men’s Water Polo Championship on Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. With this victory, the Rams have achieved their first postseason win in program history and are aspiring for their inaugural national title.
The 2024 National Collegiate Men’s Water Polo Championship Final is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPNU and streamed on ESPN+.
