Lancers Win First WCC Tournament to Punch Ticket to the 2024 National Tournament

Sunday, November 24

Stockton, CA (University of the Pacific)

1:00 PM

California Baptist University

Three Seeded San Jose State University

California Baptist

San Jose State

Lancers Win First WCC Tournament to Punch Ticket to the 2024 National Tournament

11/24/2024 2:35:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

Box Score

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

STOCKTON, CA--- The California Baptist men's water polo team punched their ticket to the 2024 NCAA Men's Water Polo National Tournament after taking down San Jose State during the West Coast Conference Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon. The four-seeded Lancers built an impressive lead that they would not relinquish through the entirety of the game, beating the three-seeded Spartans 13-8 to avenge last year's championship.

After the Spartans struck first, the Lancers would find control of the game early and net four consecutive goals before allowing SJSU to score again in the first half. William Whitstone picked up right where he left off and pulled out an impressive stop in the final moments of the first eight minutes to give the Lancers a three-goal edge early. The second frame saw more of the first, with another four goals from CBU's offense, while Whitstone allowed just a single goal before halftime. Logan Puhl pulled out all the stops in the first half and picked up a hat trick to contribute to the Lancer seven-goal lead.

Nuzzo's 68th goal of the year is a beaut👏#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/7y4sfcT0eH
— CBU Men's Water Polo (@lancersmwp) November 24, 2024

Bodhi Bowden continued the scoring into the third frame, denting the twine early to continue building the lead. Rafa Martinez got in on the offensive action, and Andrea Nuzzo scored his 68th goal of the season to finish the frame 12-6 in favor of California Baptist. San Jose State did not go quietly and kicked off the final frame with an early goal to cut their deficit to five with just seven minutes remaining in the championship match. However, a five-meter penalty goal by Marcus Lodewyk and two consecutive field blocks in the Lancer's defensive end would shatter the momentum built for the Spartans.

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The Lancers will now turn their attention to tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., where the NCAA will announce the official bracket for the 2024 NCAA Men's Water Polo National Tournament. The national tournament is set to be hosted in Stanford, California, this year from December 6th through December 8th.