Water polo • Junior Brad Scoles looks to pass the ball during Sunday’s game against the Redlands at the Campus Pool. Scoles scored two goals to lead the 49ers to a 104 win. Jon Cook/Online Forty-Niner

 

Water polo gets back on track

By Moria Khou
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

The Cal State Long Beach men’s water polo team routed The University of Redlands and Chapman University in a doubleheader at the Campus Pool, Sunday.

After a poor outing at the Southern California Tournament, No. 12 Long Beach State looked to make amend in its home opener against Redlands. The team made quick work of the Bulldogs to win 104 in the morning game.

Long Beach State’s Head Coach Rick Azevedo emphasized resistance during the week’s practice after two onepoint losses at the tournament.

"We’ve been working to change the defense, to deny the ball and fill the lanes," he said.

The 49ers showed how well they took instructions as Long Beach State allowed just one goal to the stagnant Bulldogs’ offense in the first three quarters of play.

On the opposite end of the pool, the 49ers’ offense fired from all angles at the getgo. Long Beach State’s driver Stefan Ludecke, from Hamburg, Germany, scored two goals in the first period.

Redlands’ senior, Spencer Dinnean matched Ludecke with his two goals. However, Dinnean’s scores came at an inopportune time during the fourth quarter, as the game was already lost.

Junior Brad Scoles also found the net twice against Redlands to bring his teamhigh and season total to 15 goals. Reid Tomassi, Brett McCleave, Satoshi Sakata, Travis Buchanan and Clint Wilson all scored once in the match for the 49ers.

Golden West transfer, McCleave, has been a big asset to the 49ers’ attack as he has totaled 13 goals on the season.

"He’s been playing 25yards,"Azevedo said. "It’s a different speed game and we have less time to work with him but he’s been sharp."

Unlike a two-week layoff between the Navy Open and the Southern California Tournament, the 49ers reentered the pool within an hour and a half for their afternoon match against Chapman University.

"You need to play to stay sharp," Azevedo said.

Play was what the 49ers did, as they dominated the Panthers from start to finish to win decidedly, 172.

Chapman senior goalkeeper, Scott Chisholm was only able to turn away two shots. On the other hand, 49ers’ goalie, Thomas Onyshko matched his season average with seven saves.

Long Beach State found the net four times in the first, second and fourth quarter and in the third period, the 49ers topped its effort with five goals.

Azevedo brought back many coaching strategies during his Olympic stint in Athens, Greece. One tactic was to utilize more of his players in the game. Azevedo cleared out his bench and let his reserves play for most of the match against Chapman.

The move proved provident as the 49ers held a substantial 80 lead by halftime, completely caging the Panthers. Chapman’s James Foley was only able to score after a 49ers’ penalty.

Long Beach State had a balance attack as 12 49ers found the back of the net. Buchanan, Jay Gerardi, Nick Korsgaden, Jared Vargas and Brian Staudenbaur all scored two goals apiece. Additionally, Ludecke, McCleave, Sakata, Blake Bartak, John Foster, Eric Markel and Jason Cloud had a goal apiece.

With the two wins, Long Beach State’s record improved to 64.

The 49ers’ next match will be in Stockton at the Northern California Tournament on Saturday and Sunday.