CLAREMONT, Calif. — The Cal State Fullerton Titans men’s water polo team opened the Gary Troyer Tournament with two victories on October 2, 2026, defeating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 12-8 and Chapman 18-12.
In the first game against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Jason Joseph scored the opening goal early. The Titans established a 4-1 lead before closing the first quarter ahead 4-2. In the second quarter, Dustin Drobeck and Ethan MacLeod scored back-to-back goals, helping Fullerton lead 8-3 at halftime. The Titans maintained control in the second half, with Ethan Merritt, Denes Dobi, Ethan MacLeod, and Cade Zeilinger each scoring two goals. Goalkeeper Ivey made seven saves across 32 minutes of play to help secure the win.
In the second game, Cal State Fullerton erupted for seven unanswered goals in the first quarter against Chapman. Jason Joseph scored twice early while Carmelo Bangs, Tony Benedetti, Jason Honey, Samuel Branco, and Cade Zeilinger also contributed. Despite Chapman scoring six goals in the second quarter, Fullerton held a 10-3 halftime lead. The Titans extended their advantage through the third and fourth quarters, with key contributions from Denes Dobi, Marton Thuroczy, Jace Peterson, and Beau Gendron.
Luke Porter led the Titans against Chapman with a hat trick, three drawn exclusions, and one steal. Ivey added 11 saves in the game, setting the program’s all-time record for saves with a total of 340.
CSB Take
Cal State Fullerton’s strong start at the Gary Troyer Tournament displays both offensive depth and defensive prowess. Luke Porter’s standout performance and Ivey’s record-breaking goalkeeping establish solid leadership roles critical for the Titans moving forward in the competitive Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Sustaining this momentum will be key to their success in upcoming matches this season.
Source: Original report
