No. 12 UC Irvine men’s water polo rallied from a 6-4 halftime deficit to defeat No. 18 Pacific Tigers 11-10 in their regular-season finale on November 13, 2026, in Irvine, California.
Seniors Johann Thrall and Gage Verdegaal led the offensive charge, each contributing four points. Thrall scored three goals and added one assist, while Verdegaal had one goal and three assists. Alex Lopez and Jayson Hubbard also played key roles, combining for five points through goals and assists.
Trailing 10-9 in the fourth quarter, Keegan McGann scored the decisive game-winning goal to give UC Irvine the lead. The Anteaters outscored Pacific 3-1 in the final quarter to complete the comeback. Goalkeeper Vincent Vega made 11 saves with a .524 save percentage, helping to preserve the slim victory.
Pacific was led offensively by Gabor Holl and Yoav Rendler, who each scored three goals but could not secure the win. UC Irvine will now turn their attention to the upcoming Big West Championship scheduled for November 20-22 at Long Beach State.
CSB Take
This hard-fought victory highlights UC Irvine men’s water polo’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, overcoming a halftime deficit in a tightly contested game. Contributions from senior leaders Johann Thrall and Gage Verdegaal reinforced the team’s offensive strength as they move into postseason play. Close victories like this build critical momentum heading into the Big West Championship, where the Anteaters will aim to continue their success.
Source: Original report
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