The California Baptist University men’s water polo team opened their home tournament, The Joust, on September 25, 2026, with decisive victories at the Lancer Aquatics Center in Riverside, California. They defeated #20 Cal State Fullerton 17-6 in the first match and then won 18-8 against the University of Toronto in the evening contest.
In the first game, CBU took control early by scoring seven goals in the opening quarter, including six consecutive goals to close the period. Center Rafa Martinez scored the initial three goals and finished with four goals on five shots. Freshman Alessandro Tiberio contributed a hat trick off the bench. Goalkeeper Tyler Carson allowed only two goals in his half and recorded three saves, while the CBU defense blanked Fullerton in the second period, leading to a 10-1 halftime advantage. Although Fullerton improved in the second half with two early goals, a powerplay goal by Paulo Hernandez stopped their momentum, and the Lancers finished with an 11-goal margin. This victory improved CBU’s all-time record against Fullerton to 7-0 and gave California Baptist a 13-3 overall record with a perfect 4-0 mark at home.
The second game featured substantial playing time for CBU’s second unit. The Lancers led 7-1 after the first period and 11-3 at halftime, having scored the last three goals of the second frame. The second unit maintained strong performance in the second half, outscoring Toronto 7-5 on the way to an 18-8 victory. Fifteen different players scored for California Baptist, with Quinton Hoffman and Zander Montoya each adding two goals. Goalkeepers Edric Scott and Tanner McCreary combined for three saves during the game.
California Baptist will conclude The Joust on September 26 with games against the University of Toronto at 10:30 a.m. and Fresno Pacific at 12 p.m.
CSB Take
The California Baptist University men’s water polo team demonstrated impressive depth and offensive balance in their opening day sweep at The Joust. Their ability to dominate ranked opponent Cal State Fullerton and to effectively utilize their second unit against the University of Toronto highlights the Lancers’ strong roster and coaching strategy. Maintaining this level of play will be essential as they aim to continue their undefeated home record and strengthen their position for the remainder of the season.
Source: Original report
