No. 13 UC Irvine men’s water polo upset No. 6 UC Davis 14-10 on September 18, 2026, in the opening game of the MPSF Invitational held in Stanford, California. UC Irvine took an early lead, jumping ahead 5-1 in the first quarter and holding a 7-6 advantage at halftime.
The third quarter saw a close exchange, with the Anteaters leading 10-9 going into the final period. UC Irvine then outscored UC Davis 4-1 in the fourth quarter, securing the decisive victory.
Gage Verdegaal led the Anteaters with four goals, including a critical hat trick in the last quarter. Brody Luke, Alex Lopez, and Wyley Dale each scored twice, and Johann Thrall, Cole Francisco, Jayson Hubbard, and Samuel Bowman contributed one goal apiece, supporting a balanced offensive effort.
UC Irvine is scheduled to face No. 4 Cal on September 19 at 9:20 a.m. in the next round of the MPSF Invitational.
CSB Take
UC Irvine’s strong start and clutch late scoring allowed them to upset a higher-ranked rival and build momentum early in the MPSF Invitational. Gage Verdegaal’s standout four-goal effort, particularly his late-quarter surge, was instrumental in the win. This victory not only enhances UC Irvine’s confidence but also establishes them as a serious competitor as they prepare to face a top-ranked Cal team next.
Source: Original report
