MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's water polo team fell 15-13 to Fresno Pacific on Saturday afternoon at the Aquatics Center. Saturday was also Senior Day and the regular season home finale.
Senior Andrew Jones led the Bobcats (1-21, 0-4) efforts with four goals, his fourth game this year with at least four goals and his sixth hat trick or better. Jakee Chacon registered his second hat trick against the Sunbirds this year, while James Soto deposited two shots into the back of the net. Four other Bobcats scored at least one goal.
FPU scored the first goal of the game before the Bobcats ripped off four unanswered capped by a Soto penalty shot. Chacon had two goals in the run with Jones scoring one. FPU broke its nearly six-minute scoring drought with 60 seconds left in the first quarter to make it 4-2. Jones converted a penalty shot with eight seconds on the clock to regain the Bobcats three-goal advantage, 5-2.
Both teams dented the twine once in the first 90 seconds of the second quarter. FPU got hot midway through the quarter and used a 3-0 goal scoring to pull even at 6-6 with 2:37 remaining. Joseph Rodriguez broke the tie for a 7-6 lead and Jones followed with a penalty shot on the next possession for an 8-6 advantage. FPU got one of the goals back as UC Merced led 8-7 at halftime.
Soto made it 9-7 to start the third quarter. However, the Sunbirds scored the next three goals to grab their first lead since the opening 90 seconds of the match. Noah Defaii pulled the Bobcats level shortly after. The teams would alternate goals the rest of the quarter, with the Bobcats pulling even and FPU retaking the lead shortly after. Altug Misirli Jr. scored the last goal of the frame and the two teams were tied 12-12 going into the fourth quarter.
FPU held strong in the fourth quarter and outscored the Bobcats 3-1 to pull out the victory. FPU took a 13-12 lead at the 6:51 mark and then netted the eventual game-winning goal with 4:44 left to play. The Sunbirds scored one more for a 15-12 lead with four minutes on the clock. Despite the Bobcats loss, Chacon completed his hat trick inside the final minute.
Matthew Lloyd earned the start in goal and finished with six first half saves. Ethan Stocker saved a penalty shot in the second half.
James soto added three steals.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will play at Biola on Thursday, November 5. Opening sprint from SPLASH! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center is set for 7:30pm.
