49ers drown the Lions

By Manuel Gamiz, Jr., On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, September 14, 1998

The Long Beach State men's water polo team opened the 1998 season with an 18-1 victory over Loyola Marymount University, Saturday afternoon at the campus pool.

The 49ers scored at least four goals in each period. Three of the first five goals came courtesy of senior 2-meter man Jeff Coyler.

In addition to Coyler, freshman defender Chris Segesman and junior defender Shane Lindstrom each tallied three points. Lindstrom pounded one two-point goal. Nine different players scored the 17 goals for the team.

Senior driver Eric Ploessel, junior driver Carlo Franzia and sophomore driver Justin Matsuno scored two goals apiece for the 49ers. Rounding out the goal scoring were sophomore driver Matt Sakatani, junior 2-meter man Corey Dolley and freshman driver Tyler Wawrzynski.

The 18-point performance was the second-highest point total by any 49er men's water polo team to open up its season.

The 49ers opened the 1991 season with a 19-3 victory over UC-Riverside.

Senior goalie Adam Carter racked up four saves for the 49ers.

His performance in front of the net marked only the fifth-time in school history that The Beach has held its opponents to one goal. The las time was in 1985 when The Beach defeated Cal State Fullerton 24-1.

The 49ers next game will be at USC on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.