Lancers End Season at WCC Tournament Championship

Sunday, November 19

Malibu, CA

1 PM

California Baptist University

20-17, 3-3

3-Seed San Jose State University

12-9, 4-2

California Baptist

San Jose State

Lancers End Season at WCC Tournament Championship

11/19/2023 6:20:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

Box Score

By: Mariah Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and Digital Media

MALIBU--- The California Baptist University men's water polo team ended their season on Sunday afternoon in the West Coast Conference tournament championship match against #14 San Jose State University. The 9-6 victory from the Spartans ended the Lancer's season 20-18 overall and 3-3 in WCC play.

After a historical win against #5 Pepperdine on Saturday afternoon, the Lancers were ready to face a familiar foe, San Jose State. During regular conference play, the Spartans emerged victorious from the dual in a tight 16-13 match on CBU's home-front. SJSU performed similarly on Sunday afternoon after they traded goals with the Lancers to start the match, but quickly took a 2-1 lead that was never relinquished through the four quarters of action. A 5-2 run by the Spartans in the second and third quarters ultimately secured the win for the higher-seeded squad, even with a last-minute three-goal comeback from the Lancers led by Bodhi Bowden. Trevor Benge and Matt Olsen were named to the WCC All-Tournament team for their phenomenal efforts in the pool against conference opponents.

California Baptist joined the West Coast Conference this season and certainly made their mark, finishing fourth in regular season standings and second in the inaugural WCC tournament. The squad also pulled out major wins against star-studded teams this season, including #7 Santa Barbara and #5 Pepperdine. The Lancers end the year ranked 16th in the NCAA polls, improving from their #19 ranking last season.

In total, the squad posted 545 goals against all opponents this season, the second most in program history, and was led by Cameron Cullen's impressive 64-goal season. Logan Puhl and Bowden unleashed 55 goals this season each, as Benge finished his last season between the posts with a total of 271 saves for CBU. Caleb Teraoka also had a season to remember, as he led the team in assists at 49, accumulated 48 goals, and was named to the WCC All-Conference first-team.

The season finish in Malibu is also the end of six CBU veteran careers, including Toby Bumgardner, Thomas de Wit, Ian Escoto, Cullen, Benge, and Olsen. These seniors were crucial in the Lancer's transition to the WCC and key components in reaching the WCC tournament championship in CBU's inaugural year.