Lancers Conclude Season with Hard Fought Battle Against USC

Friday, December 6

Stanford, CA

4:00 PM

California Baptist University

23-14

#2 University of Southern California

22-5

California Baptist

Southern California

Lancers Conclude Season with Hard Fought Battle Against USC

12/6/2024 10:05:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

Box Score

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

STANFORD, CA--- The California Baptist men's water polo program capped off its impressive season at the Avery Aquatic Center on Stanford University's campus during the quarterfinals of the 2024 NCAA Men's Water Polo National Tournament. The Lancers opened the evening match with three goals before two-seeded USC evntually found the back of the net, but the Trojans would ultimately persevere with a 17-13 win. CBU ends the year with a 23-13 overall record, tallying the most wins in a single season since 2022.

Marcus Lodewyk snagged the first goal of the game with a screamer from the right side of the pool that set CBU off on a three-goal run before the Trojans could score their lone goal in the first frame. The second quarter was much more offensively efficient for the Trojans, who netted six in the second set of eight minutes for a two-goal lead heading into halftime. Caleb Teraoka came up big during the third frame with two goals, including a rocket from 12 meters out to kick off the five-goal quarter for the Lancers.

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However, USC managed to put up seven goals during the third to hold tight onto the lead, which they refused to relinquish. Head Coach Kevin Rosa made a few strategic changes in the fourth quarter, pulling Lodweyk into goal and having him get in on the attack for another opportunity in front of the posts. The move worked twice for the Lancers, carrying them to three goals during the final quarter. USC also found the back of the net thrice, securing the 17-13 win for a trip to the semifinals. The Trojans will face three-seeded Fordham tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Avery Aquatic Center.

Logan Puhl finished his final game as a Lancer with a hat trick, while Toring Stanley also managed to dent the twine three times against the Trojans. Teroaka ended the day with two goals and five assists. Whitstone finished the final game of the season with 13 saves between the sticks.

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Bowden ends the season as the CBU leading goalscorer, totaling 82 goals this season behind 31 field blocks. Stanley secured the most assists for the Lancers at 69 while also tallying 64 goals this season. Between the posts, Whitstone amassed 283 saves for CBU across 30 games this year. As a squad, the Lancers secured a pair of top-five wins over UC Irvine and the University of the Pacific while also amassing their best national ranking at number nine in program history during a complete season. California Baptist will say goodbye to five seniors, including George Rice, Bowden, Teraoka, Lodewyk, and Puhl.