California Baptist University
Princeton University
Lancers Split Day Two of the MPSF Invitational
9/19/2026 7:10:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
STANFORD, CA--- The California Baptist University men's water polo team split day two of the MPSF Invitational as they would drop the matinee match to #8 Princeton and would defeat #16 Santa Clara in the afternoon contest.
The Lancers reached double-digit wins with their 10th of the season as they moved to 10-3.
GAME 1 vs #8 Princeton:
The Lancers opened up day two of the MPSF Invitational against the #8 Princeton Tigers. It was a defensive battle early as the Lancers and Tigers exchanged goals in the opening period. Princeton would make the first real push of the match as they would score four straight goals in the second period to take a 6-3 lead into the break.
The Lancers' offense could not get much going against the stellar Princeton defense in the second half, but they would manage three goals in the third period to keep the match close. CBU would play Princeton even in the fourth period, with two goals being scored by each team, but that would not be enough as Princeton held off the Lancers for the 12-8 victory.
Rafa Martinez managed a hat trick for the Lancers in the middle to lead the scoring, while Wyatt Bugbee would be the leading distributor with three assists. Andrea Nuzzo added three points with one goal and two assists. Tanner McCreary and Tyler Carson combined for eight saves.
GAME 2 vs #14 Santa Clara:
The Lancers would face off against their old WCC foe Santa Clara in the afternoon match as they attempted to improve their 21-13 overall record against the Broncos.
The Broncos and Lancers battled back and forth through the majority of the opening half, exchanging goals on alternating possessions. CBU would finally break the back and forth with a 3-0 run that would net them the lead 6-5 at the halftime break.
The offenses for both teams began to open up in the second half, with the Lancers netting five goals to the Broncos' three in the third period, extending their narrow halftime lead. The Bronos would inch a little closer in the fourth period, but the Lancer offense would shut down the comeback attempt with several late-period goals to wrap up the victory 16-11 over their former conference opponent.
The win would be the Lancers' second-ranked victory of the season and the second time they have defeated a #16-ranked team, following their win over Harvard when both teams were ranked the same early in the season. Michael Abshier was everywhere for the Lancers, finishing with a stat line of three goals, two assists, and a steal. Wyatt Bugbee, Rafa Martinez, Andrea Nuzzo, and Luca Imbriolo all would score multiple goals, while Paulo Hernandez would lead the squad with three assists. Tanner McCreary had one of his best performances in the cage this season with nine saves in the full 32 minutes of action for the Lancers.
NEXT: The Lancers will be back to wrap up the MPSF Invitational tomorrow morning as they face #6 UC Davis in the 13th Place Match at Belardi Pool.
