The University of California, Merced men’s water polo team lost two matches on October 1, 2026, falling 10-8 to No. 20 Cal State Fullerton and 14-6 to Cal Lutheran in Southern California.
The 8-10 loss to Cal State Fullerton was UC Merced’s closest defeat to a nationally ranked opponent in program history across 24 all-time matchups. UC Merced took an early lead and remained competitive throughout the game but ultimately fell by two goals.
Tommy Bauer and Andrew Jones each scored four goals across the two contests. Goalkeeper Matthew Lloyd posted 19 total saves over both games.
In the first match against Cal State Fullerton, UC Merced led 3-2 after the first quarter and maintained a close margin throughout. Despite the Bobcats’ efforts to tie the game late, Cal State Fullerton secured the win.
In the second game versus Cal Lutheran, UC Merced trailed from the opening period and could not close the gap, resulting in a 14-6 loss. Noah Hernandez scored his first goal of the season during the final quarter.
UC Merced will begin Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) conference play on October 2, 2026, facing Fresno Pacific at 7:30 p.m. at Sanger West High School.
CSB Take
The narrow loss to nationally ranked Cal State Fullerton indicates progress for the UC Merced men’s water polo program, showing that the Bobcats can compete closely against top-level teams. Offensive contributions from Tommy Bauer and Andrew Jones, combined with strong goaltending by Matthew Lloyd, provide a foundation to build upon. As the Bobcats enter WWPA conference play, sustaining this competitive edge will be crucial for future success.
Source: Original report
