The No. 8 Long Beach State men’s water polo team lost to No. 1 California as an inspired first quarter turned into a 14-7 rout Sunday at the Spieker Aquatics Complex.
The 49ers (7-12, 0-6 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) were unable to bring an end to a season long six-game losing streak. LBSU’s conference woes have resulted in the steady disappearance of the team’s chances to make the MPSF tournament.
Head coach Gavin Arroyo had said at the outset of the season that his team’s primary goal was to get back to the conference tournament.
Things have gone south for Arroyo’s squad, as the team remains winless in MPSF play and their magic number has descended to one before the 49ers are eliminated from postseason contention.
LBSU scored four times in the first period, its highest output in the last 17 quarters, spanning five games.
After giving up the game’s opening goal, The Beach got on the board with a goal from junior Taylor Clute, part of his team-high three goals on the day.
Cal wasted little time in retaking the lead at 3-1. But the lead did not hold for long, as goals from freshman Dan Matulis and junior Alexsandr Petrovic brought the 49ers even once more.
The Golden Bears jumped out in front again with their second set of back-to-back goals in the opening quarter, giving them a 5-3 advantage in the late stages of the period. Clute cut the Cal lead in half with a breakaway goal in the last minute of the first quarter to bring the 49ers’ deficit to one.
Cal showed why it deserves the top ranking with a dominating second quarter. The Golden Bears outscored the 49ers 5-1, and Cal went into halftime with a 10-5 lead.
The Beach didn’t get any closer in the second half. LBSU was held to just two goals in the last two quarters, and Cal cruised for a comfortable win.
Junior Ivan Rackov led the Golden Bears with four goals in the game. Rackov leads the MPSF in scoring with 60 goals on the season. Freshman Nick Rascon tops the 49ers with 33 goals on the year.
With the win, the Golden Bears remained undefeated in conference play. Cal has a ten game winning streak, and has all but locked up the top seed for the conference tournament.
Only two MPSF games are left on the schedule for LBSU. The Beach will have to win out in order to keep its season alive.
The 49ers will also need some help in the form of a loss by No. 7 Pacific to Cal (18-2, 6-0 MPSF) next weekend. Pacific’s 9-8 victory over No. 6 UC Santa Barbara makes LBSU’s home game against No. 2 USC a must-win game.
The Beach resumes play this Thursday when it hosts No. 9 Loyola Marymount in a nonconference match. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
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