IRVINE, Calif. - With a new coach and new conference, Concordia University Irvine heads into its first big weekend projected No. 3 in the Western Water Polo Association Conference as announced Tuesday morning.
Head Coach Justin Johnson, former CUI Alum, leads the Golden Eagles into the season opener as well as his first game coaching at Concordia. Alongside Johnson, many familiar faces return this year like Jacob Stuart, goalkeeper Hunter Osgood, and Leo Erickson, but this season is notable for the wave of fresh faces on the team.
The coaches of the WWPA predict CUI will finish in the middle of the pack with a standing of No. 3 out of seven. The Golden Eagles no longer play Division I schools in conference play, but will face Division I competition throughout competition. With the addition of four universities from the East Coast (McKendree, Gannon, Mercyhurst and Salem), Concordia has the opportunity to shift the tides of the updated seven-school conference. Ultimately, the winner of the conference tournament earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Green and Gold starts the 2023 season this week at the Triton Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 2 through Sunday Sept. 3 in La Jolla, Calif. The weekend kicks off against Long Beach State at 8 a.m. early Saturday morning.
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