LA MIRADA, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine men's water polo team wanted to make a statement in their WWPA conference opener on Wednesday. Especially considering they were playing against their local rivals from Biola, who had won the conference tournament just last fall.

Well you can consider that statement made.

The Golden Eagles pounced on Biola with four quick goals in the first period and only allowed one goal on a penalty shot before halftime.

Nine different Golden Eagles scored at least once and Biola never could claw its way back into the game as CUI prevailed comfortably by a score of 16-7.

Konstantinos Koulouris scored twice and handed out an assist in the first period alone on his way to a game-high five goals.

Staked to a 5-1 lead to start the second half, CUI poured it on with seven goals in the third period to open up a commanding 12-4 advantage. It took the hosts nearly 20 minutes of game action to score their first goal against Concordia that was not off a penalty shot.

Senior goalie and SAAC representative Griffin Beth was stellar between the pipes. He racked up a dozen saves and helped CUI stave off multiple man-advantages by Biola. Recently named WWPA Defensive Player of the Week Lucas Rodriguez was also credited with three steals as he continues his stellar freshman campaign.

Koulouris finished with seven points as he added two assists and two steals as well. Carlos Olat and Kai Young also scored twice, as did Sam Diamond, who also won two sprints.

WWPA Offensive Player of the Week Jacob Stuart added one goal and a team-high three assists. Harry Bentham also scored once and dished out two helpers. Kaliq Khan had the first goal of the entire game and Thomas Kelly joined him as he found the back of the net once.

Charlie Johnson closed out the scoring with Concordia's last goal of the day off a pass from Ruben Montoya.

Concordia has the next couple of weeks off before visiting UC Merced on Friday, Nov. 1 in northern California.  The next home game for the Golden Eagles is a night contest at 7 p.m. against Biola on Friday, Nov. 8 at Woollett Aquatics Center.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's water polo schedule