O'FALLON, Ill. - After the win against Gannon Friday morning, the Golden Eagles meant business in the 2023 WWPA Men's Championship Semifinals. The Concordia University Irvine men's water polo team showed up with a competitive fire against the No. 1 east seed, Salem University and came out on top. Concordia is moving forward into the final championship game against the winner of the 1W Biola vs 2E McKendree match.
It was an upset worth watching!
After winning the sprint, Salem started the match with two goals, one on even strength and the other on a penalty shot. Concordia matched them point for point. Leo Erickson scored the first CUI goal with an assist from Stan De Mey and not too long after, Luke Addington sent a pass to Jacob Stuart who claimed the next goal.
Stuart was just getting started. By the end of the match, the junior claimed five total goals, successfully matching his career-high scoring game against Pomona-Pitzer.
In the second period, freshman Kaliq Khan hit the back of the net to make the score CUI 5, SU 4. Shots were exchanged by both teams until the last minute. With exceptional timing, Harry Bentham and Carlos Olat added more points to Concordia's board.
The Golden Eagles effectively spread out the offense and multiple players contributed to the score in the remaining periods. Erickson, Sam Diamond, Olat, and Khan all scored a goal for the Green and the Gold. The lead between the Golden Eagles and the Tigers became wider and wider. Stuart scored two back-to-back goals before Oscar Garcia Blomback sent the last shot into the cage to seal the win.
Concordia finished the match with a shot percentage of .467 and goalie Tanner Powell had eleven saves and three steals. Brummett, Addington, Bentham and Diamond led the team with two assists each.
Concordia finished the match with a final score of 14-11, officially earning them a spot in the final championship game. Concordia will face Biola Sunday, Nov. 18 at 10 am (PST). Whoever wins the final match will be named 2023 WWPA Men's Champions! The Golden Eagles are on the hunt for a win.
CLICK HERE for the full men's water polo schedule.
