CAL STATE FULLERTON, Calif. – On September 12, 2026, the Cal State Fullerton Titans men’s water polo team closed out the Fullerton Tournament with a 16-13 victory over the Chapman Panthers after an earlier 17-11 loss to the Air Force Falcons.
In the evening game against Chapman, the Titans took an early lead with Denes Dobi scoring first. Although Chapman responded with two consecutive power-play goals, Fullerton answered with goals from Ethan Cooney, Marton Thuroczy, and Luke Porter to lead 4-3 after the first quarter.
The second quarter saw back-and-forth scoring until Fullerton pulled ahead with three straight goals by Ethan MacLeod, Ethan Merritt, and Jason Honey, giving the Titans an 8-6 halftime advantage.
Fullerton started the third quarter with a goal from Merritt, and despite Chapman scoring two consecutive goals, the Titans went on a six-goal run—led by goals from MacLeod, Samuel Branco, and Dobi—to extend the lead to 15-9 entering the fourth quarter.
Chapman outscored Fullerton 4-1 in the final quarter but could not recover the deficit. Branco recorded a hat trick and three assists, while Thuroczy contributed three assists and a steal. Denes Dobi and Ethan MacLeod led the Titans in goals throughout the match.
Earlier in the day, Fullerton fell 17-11 to Air Force. Ethan MacLeod opened the scoring on a penalty shot, and Dobi recorded a hat trick and a steal. Other contributors throughout the day included Ethan Merritt, Marton Thuroczy, Luke Porter, Ethan Cooney, and Jason Honey.
The Titans are set to return home for the Fullerton Mini Tournament on September 18, facing Fresno Pacific at noon and Cal Lutheran at 6 p.m.
CSB Take
Cal State Fullerton’s rebound from an earlier loss to secure a win over Chapman highlights the team’s resilience and offensive capability. With key players like Denes Dobi, Ethan MacLeod, and Samuel Branco leading the attack, the Titans demonstrated their scoring depth and ability to control the game’s momentum. As the team prepares for the upcoming home tournament, maintaining their offensive tempo and tightening defensive play will be critical for sustained success in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation competition.
Source: Original report
