News Summary
The Long Beach State men’s water polo team faced No. 2 USC in a tight match, ultimately losing 13-9 at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center. Starting strong, Long Beach managed an early 2-1 lead, but USC’s powerful offense quickly took charge, establishing a 7-4 halftime lead. Long Beach fought back with a third-quarter surge, but USC secured their victory with key goals and a stellar performance from their goalkeeper. Long Beach will aim to recover in their next game against Chapman University.
Los Angeles, California – Long Beach State men’s water polo team faced a challenging match against No. 2 USC on September 5, 2025, at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center, resulting in a 13-9 defeat. This loss brings Long Beach State’s overall record to 5-2, while USC improved to a flawless 5-0.
The game opened with USC scoring the first goal in the initial quarter, setting the tone for what would be a competitive match. Long Beach State responded with goals by Gabi Acosta and Corbin Stanley, briefly taking a 2-1 lead. However, USC quickly regained control with two consecutive goals, ending the first quarter at a tie after a buzzer-beater goal from Artur Diaz made it 3-3.
In the second quarter, USC demonstrated their offensive strength by executing a 4-0 scoring run, pushing their lead to 7-3. Long Beach State managed to close the gap with a goal from Zalán Nagy, ending the first half at 7-4 in favor of USC.
The third quarter saw USC extend their lead further with an early goal making it 8-4. Nevertheless, Long Beach State fought back valiantly with a 3-0 run, narrowing the score to 8-7, igniting hopes of a potential comeback. Despite the spirited effort, USC responded quickly in the fourth quarter, reclaiming their lead and eventually sealing the match with a final score of 13-9. Alec Johnson and Caleb Francisco contributed crucial goals for Long Beach State, but USC’s effective offense ultimately proved too strong.
Notably, individual performances highlighted the match, particularly from USC players Robert López Duart and Andrej Grgurevic, both of whom scored three goals apiece. Goalkeeper Charlie Mills made a significant contribution to USC’s defense, achieving a career-high of 14 saves throughout the match.
Looking ahead, Long Beach State is set to face Chapman University in their next match on Saturday, September 6, at 11 a.m. Fans can follow live stats of the game on TheFOSH.net, with an accompanying livestream provided by FloCollege. This upcoming match will conclude Long Beach State’s weekend road trip as they seek to bounce back from their recent loss.
This match showcased the ongoing competitive landscape of men’s water polo, particularly in the early part of the season. With teams like USC leading the charge, the intensity and skill level are expected to increase as the season progresses. Long Beach State will aim to regroup and refine their strategies in their upcoming games.
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Additional Resources
- Long Beach State Athletics
- SwimSwam
- USC Trojans
- Wikipedia: Water Polo
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Polo
