Swimming World’s Michael Randazzo will provide previews of the conferences that will send teams to the 2017 NCAA Men’s Water Polo Tournament to be held December 2 and 3 at USC’s Uytengsu Aquatics Center. Teams arranged by projected order of finish.
Rankings are from the 2017 Collegiate Water Polo Association’s Men’s Preseason Poll.
The Western Water Polo Conference has been a respectful visitor to the NCAA tournament—showing up regularly but never overstaying its welcome. Now, with a top 10 team in #9 University of California Davis—a goal away from joining the 2016 Final Four—and perennial title contender the University of California at San Diego leading a pack of strong California teams, this may be a breakout season for the WWPA.
Last season #9 UC Davis— for the first time since 1997—qualified for NCAAs, where they faced another Cinderella, Harvard, in an epic play-in match, a 16-15 overtime victory by the Crimson. After that brief taste of success, the Aggies appear headed to another NCAA berth in 2017. Led by All-American and reigning WWPA Player of the Year Ido Goldschmidt (48 goals, 42 assists), Daniel Leyson’s (5th season; 1992 USC) team returns five of its six leading scorers from 2016. Major Loss: All-WWPA performer Spencer Creed in goal.
Key Match Up: Harvard, Sunday, October 22, Saratoga, CA
#12 UC San Diego’s run of back-to-back NCAA berths was ended by UC Davis last year in the WWPA title match, but led by senior All-American Arman Momdzhyan (44 goals) the Tritons will be right back in the mix. Returning to head coach Denny Harper’s squad (38th season; San Diego State 1978) are sophomore Skyler Munatones (34 goals, 26 assists and 15 steals – 2016 WPA Freshman of the Year) and junior goalie Jack Turner (248 saves). Major Loss: All-American utility player Nick Alexander.
Key Match Up: UC Davis, Saturday, November 4, San Diego, CA
Last year, #16 Cal Baptist went 22-11, including wins over top-10 ranked teams (#8 UC Irvine and #10 Bucknell)—the first two such wins in program history. And, with the highest ranking ever in the CWPA poll, things are certainly looking up for head coach Kevin Rosa’s (3rd season; 2002 Redlands) team.
To keep the good times rolling, and to perhaps to break into the upper echelon of the WWPA, the Lancers will need their large pool of underclassmen to excel. Sophomores Matthew Diacono, Logan Mena, Kyle Rasmussen and Tanner Shore (All-WWPA Second Team) each chipped in 34 goals apiece last year as freshmen, and will need to step up to offset 164 goals lost to graduation. Red-shirt junior Matt Miller will need to step in and take over netminding duties from the now graduated Joseph Moorman. Major Loss: Brent Teraoka (80 goals, 24 assists).
Key Match Up: UC San Diego, Thursday, October 12, Riverside, CA
A third place finish last year in the WWPA tournament gives the #17 Loyola Marymount Lions hopes for better things to come. First, John Loughran’s (20th season; 1990 Loyola Chicago) needs to keep one step ahead of Cal Baptist if they are to challenge for their first NCAA berth since 2010, when they finished third in the nation.
Led on offense by All-WWPA First Team selection sophomore Dayne Jagga (team-high 65 goals), and ably assisted by junior Daniel Arellano (20 goals, 72 assists) and sophomore Alex Athimaritis (39 goals, 32 assists), the Lions have an experienced netminder in red-shirt senior Dominick Beaudine, who appeared in 27 of their 29 matches in 2016. Major Loss: Jon Beck (45 goals)
Key Match Up: Cal Baptist, Thursday, October 26, Riverside CA
The key to Air Force’s season rests on the broad shoulders of Riley Thomas. The 6-4 utility player led the Falcons with 69 goals and 35 assists, good for second in the WWPA. If head coach Jeff Heidmous’ (8th season; 1977 USAFA) freshmen-laden squad is to improve on last year’s 11-16 (1-5 WWPA) record, Thomas and fellow seniors Garrett Fisk (24 goals) and Jack Empey (39 goals) and Justin Harrison—who missed all of last season due to injury—will have to provide leadership. Major Loss: Eric Curia (33 goals)
Key Match Up: Navy, Friday, October 6, Claremont, CA
Last year Graham McClone, class of 2017, was the go-to player for the Santa Clara (11-16; 2-4 WWPA). Now it’s Mac Carey’s turn to lead the Broncos as they look to move up in the WWPA pecking order. An abundance of underclassmen—head coach Keith Wilber (15th season; 1996 Princeton) has 10 sophomores and five freshmen—will need to fend for themselves in the treacherous waters of their conference. Luckily, sophomores Carey (48 goals, 32 assists), Ryan Werner (19 goals, 19 assists) and junior Reilley May (21 goals) form a youthful core for Santa Clara.
As a freshman, goalie Keaton Fox saw action in 20 of the Broncos’ 27 matches and performed well enough to be named to the 2016 WWPA All-Freshman Team. Major Loss: McClone (58 goals, 33 assists)
Key Match Up: Sunday, September 17, San Jose State, Davis, CA
After a provisional season where they went winless (0-6) in conference play, the Concordia Eagles (5-16)—now full members of the NCAA—have been officially entered into the WWPA ranks. Head coach Dreason Barry (3rd season, 2006 UC Irvine) hopes that better times are ahead for his young team—and that a conference win is in the cards for 2017.
The Eagles brought back almost their entire roster—losing only Andrew Parese, Matthew Lange and Joshua Mundell to graduation. With 12 underclassmen on a roster of 18, If his team is going to leap frog Fresno Pacific in the WWPA standings, Barry will need leadership from seniors Jake Snyder and Jacob Saduddin as well as scoring from junior Spencer Hosch and sophomore Trenton Pressley. Major Loss: goalie Andrew Parese
Key Match Up: Fresno Pacific, October 14, Fresno, CA
Fresno Pacific (9-20; 0-6 WWPA) brought up the bottom of the conference last year and—based upon the preseason poll of WWPA coaches—they are again slated to be last, even with the addition of Concordia as a full-fledged member.
The Sunbird’s David Maes (77 goals, 34 assists) was named to the 2016 All-WWPA Second Team, but the senior who led Bryan Suhovy’s (10th season, 2005 University of La Verne) squad last year will not be around in 2017. It will be up to junior Kyle Eoff (35 goals, 20 assists), senior Erik Brown (39 assists, 31 steals) and junior goalie Joseph Costa (8 starts in 2016) to lift Fresno Pacific up from the depths of the WWPA. Major Loss: Maes.
Key Match Up: Penn State Behrend, Saturday, October 7
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.