Pacific Men’s Water Polo Team
Photo Taken by Mōhai Peloso
Fall 2024 Season Recap
The men’s water polo team here at Pacific is what gives the university the name “Water Polo U.” In 2019, the men’s team lost as the runner-up to Stanford in the NCAA National Championship. As a result, Director and Head Coach James Graham continued to grow and shape the program and in 2022, he announced the program's move to the West Coast Conference. The men played their first season in the WCC this fall and finished conference play with a 5-1 record, second to San Jose State.
The men’s record this year was 18-2 with their losses to Fordham University and California Baptist University in the WCC championship. The men started off strong in pre-season play, winning every game. One of their hardest games in pre-season was against Princeton, a top-10 nationally ranked team, yet they stayed strong the whole game. After defeating Princeton on September 15th in New Jersey, they then played them again for their first home game on October 18th, making an exciting home opener for our university. After defeating Pepperdine University on November 16th, the men’s team became the regular season champions, finally defeating every conference team. Unfortunately, the men’s team had an end to their season in the semi-finals of the WCC tournament against CBU with the final score being 10-9.
The team’s goal this season was to win the conference championship to move to the NCAA national championship. However, they unfortunately lost in the semifinals to CBU, who ended up winning the conference. It was a tough loss for the men’s team and not the ending they wanted for their season.
The starters for the fall 2024 season were #1: Bae Fountain (Goalie), #3: Stefan Vavic (Attacker), #4: Jeremie Cote (Utility), #6: Oliver Fodor (Center), #7: Mihailo Vukazic (Attacker), #6: Matthew Hosmer (Driver), and #12: Reuel D’Souza (Attacker).
There have been several players from the men’s team that have been recognized by the WCC. Vukazic has received Player of the Year as well as All-Conference First Team. Fodor received the WCC Newcomer of the Year award. D’Souza has also been awarded WCC All-Conference First Team. Cote and Fountain were selected for All-Conference Second Team, and Hosmer received WCC Honorable Mention. Vavic was selected for the WCC All-Tournament team. Vukazic is the top goal scorer of the team with 56 goals recorded. He has also won the WCC Player Of The Week award three times this season. D’Souza, graduate student and Captain of the men's team, is a contender for the Peter J. Cutino Award this year. The award is named in honor of the Hall of Fame coach and to acknowledge the best player in men’s water polo. There are 20 total players nominated from across the nation, and the winner will be announced after the 2024 men’s season has concluded. He ended his season as one of the team’s top scorers at 31 goals.
The men’s games this year have always been full of supporters in the stands and in the student section. The student section at the pool is placed behind the goal, so it is a thrilling experience for the students to be so close to the game. It also gives the team more support as for one half of the game, players can look at their student supporters after scoring a goal. The games always had students and faculty cheering them on at their games, keeping the spirit alive. Congratulations to the 2024 Pacific Men’s Water Polo Team with all of their hard work and national recognition!
Sources:
https://pacifictigers.com/sports/mens-water-polo