IRVINE, CA--- The California Baptist men's water polo team opened its 2025 campaign on Friday afternoon at the UC Irvine Tournament, picking up a win against Concordia University Irvine and battling #7 UCI to a 15-14 tough loss.

The Lancers opened the season against CUI with a good 13-9 win over the Golden Eagles. CBU was commanding from the first whistle, posting five goals in the first quarter while limiting CUI to a single goal. The Golden Eagles found their rhythm just before halftime after matching CBU with a trio of goals in the second frame. Kevin Rosa's squad adjusted their defense heading into the third eight-period and once again limited CUI to just one goal, while adding three. The fourth frame was a little shaky from CBU, but the Lancers closed out the first game of the day with a 13-9 victory to start their season perfect. Both Wyatt Bugbee and Alex Righetti showed off during their senior debut after nailing a hat trick each for the win.

California Baptist put up a stiff fight against the seventh-best team in the nation and went head-to-head with the Anteaters through the four periods. The Lancers were only bested in the first frame after scoring three goals to UCI's five. Andrea Nuzzo, Rafa Martinez, and Phil Portisch scored back-to-back to open the second period as both squads would find the back of the net four times before the half. The third frame saw the Lancers outscore UCI 3-2 to cut the Anteater lead to one goal, but another intense period with another four goals for each team would secure the UCI win. Nuzzo, Righetti, and Bugbee each left with three goals apiece during the solid showing for the Lancers.

California Baptist will return to the UCI pool tomorrow morning as they take on Chapman at 10 a.m. before finishing the weekend with a 4:15 p.m. game against Cal State Fullerton.