RIVERSIDE – California Baptist University made history on Thursday night when they hosted the inaugural West Coast Conference men's water polo game at the Lancer Aquatics Center. The Lancers and Broncos put on an unforgettable show for a full house, ultimately seeing the 15th-ranked Lancers top the 16th-ranked Broncos 15-14 in a sudden victory triple overtime thriller.
California Baptist improves to 9-12 on the season and claims the first-ever WCC conference win. Thomas de Wit led the Lancers with the top scoreline of the night, netting two goals and helping on three others, but senior captain Caleb Teraoka would secure hero status with his game-winner in the golden goal final period.
CBU jumped out to a 4-2 lead after the opening period but gave one back in the second to take a 6-5 advantage into halftime. The Broncos would tally one more than the Lancers again in the third to start the final frame of regulation tied at 9-9. Both teams scored three times in the fourth period, with Cameron Cullen netting the game-tying powerplay goal with just 41 seconds remaining.
Santa Clara opened the first of two three-minute overtime periods with a strong 2-0 run. The Lancers would answer right back in the second overtime, though, as Matt Olsen and Teraoka leveled the game again.
The deciding period began with Cullen winning the all-important opening sprint to give CBU the first go at the winner. Just 28 seconds into the period, the Broncos were called for a foul, freeing Teraoka for a clear shot with just three seconds left on the shot clock. He set up just right of center goal and one-skipped it into the left side, sending the stands and his teammates into a frenzy.
That goal secured Teraoka's hat trick for the day, to which he added an assist and a steal. Starting goalkeeper
Trevor Benge saw Santa Clara rattle off 38 shots during the elongated game, making 12 saves, one of which was a huge penalty stop in the second period.
The weekend is just getting started for the Lancers, as Friday marks the beginning of the annual Joust Tournament. Games begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, with CBU taking to the pool at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. against Fresno Pacific and UC Merced, respectively. All CBU games will be broadcast on ESPN+, and admission to the tournament is free.
