{"id":472639,"date":"2026-09-23T03:40:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T03:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/472639\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T03:40:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T03:40:11","slug":"battle-of-the-kings-on-tap-for-wednesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/472639\/","title":{"rendered":"Battle of the Kings on Tap for Wednesday!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n Story Links
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\n <\/p>\n

LA JOLLA, Calif.\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The No. 9 UC San Diego men’s water polo team is ready to battle Wednesday.<\/p>\n

LMU, ranked 15th in the nation, comes to La Jolla and Canyonview Aquatic Center for the annual clash known as the Battle of the Kings. The King of the Sea versus the King of the Jungle.<\/p>\n

UC San Diego is looking for a three-peat as they won the game in 2025 and 2024.<\/p>\n

First sprint is set for 6 p.m. \n<\/p>\n

INSIDE THE GAME
\nGame 13: Battle of the Kings
\n\u2022 #9 UC San Diego (9-3) vs. #15\u00a0LMU<\/a>\u00a0(6-4)
\n\u2022 Wednesday, September 23, 6\u00a0p.m.
\n\u2022 Canyonview Aquatic Center<\/a> – La Jolla, Calif.
\n\u2022 Tournament Central<\/a>
\n\u2022\u00a0Watch Live<\/a><\/p>\n

BEHIND THE BATTLE
\nThe Battle of the Kings between UC San Diego and LMU is typically held in La Jolla during the first week that UC San Diego students return to campus. It has taken place on a Wednesday evening every year since 2012. Going back to 2005, UC San Diego leads the series 11-8 (there were no games in 2010\u00a0and 2020). The Tritons have won the past two match-ups. UC San Diego has\u00a0out-scored the Lions 207-178\u00a0over those 19\u00a0games.<\/p>\n

\u2022 2025: LMU 9, UC San Diego 14 – UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2024: LMU 9, UC San Diego 12 – UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2023: LMU 11, UC San Diego 10 – LMU win

\n\u2022 2022: LMU 10, UC San Diego 9\u00a0(SV) – LMU win

\n\u2022 2021: LMU 13, UC San Diego 14 – UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2020: No game due to COVID

\n\u2022 2019: LMU 17, UC San Diego 16 – LMU win

\n\u2022 2018: LMU 12, UC San Diego 22 – UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2017: LMU 5, UC San Diego 15\u00a0– UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2016: LMU 10, UC San Diego 11 – UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2015: LMU 13, UC San Diego 12 (SV) – LMU win

\n\u2022 2014: LMU 2, UC San Diego 7 – UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2013: LMU 7, UC San Diego 11 – UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2012: LMU 8, UC San Diego 10 – UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2011: LMU 12, UC San Diego 10 – LMU win

\n\u2022 2010: No game

\n\u2022 2009: LMU 7, UC San Diego 4 – LMU win

\n\u2022 2008: LMU 12, UC San Diego 11 – LMU win

\n\u2022 2007: LMU 9, UC San Diego 4 – LMU win

\n\u2022 2006: LMU 7, UC San Diego 8 – UC San Diego win

\n\u2022 2005: LMU 5, UC San Diego 7 – UC San Diego win \n<\/p>\n

2026 SEASON ON THE TABLE<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n


\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tTRITON ROSTER BREAKDOWN
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tReturners (16)
\n\t\t\tNewcomers (9)
\n\t\t\tLost (10)
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tLandon Akerstrom<\/a>, Sr., Utility
\n\t\t\tNolan Anderson<\/a>, Fr., Attacker
\n\t\t\tBennett Axline<\/a>, Utility
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tRazvan Alistar<\/a>, Jr., Utility
\n\t\t\tJack Elder<\/a>, Fr., Goalie
\n\t\t\tAnte Buzov<\/a>, Utility
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tLiam Amburgey<\/a>, Jr., Attacker
\n\t\t\tBoston Frost<\/a>, Jr., Goalie
\n\t\t\tFelipe Ferreira<\/a>, Attacker
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tKyson Becker<\/a>, So. Attacker
\n\t\t\tChase Marsolf, Jr., Utility
\n\t\t\tBrendon Fezzey<\/a>, Utility
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tJaime Bhattacharyya<\/a>, Sr. Attacker
\n\t\t\tOrlando Mina<\/a>, Fr., Attacker
\n\t\t\tCole Harman<\/a>, Attacker
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tJackson Boettner<\/a>, So., Utility
\n\t\t\tLucas Pearce<\/a>, Fr., Center
\n\t\t\tEamon Hennessey<\/a>, Utility
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tFinn Bugelli<\/a>, Sr., Center
\n\t\t\tMichael Rodgers<\/a>, Jr., Defender
\n\t\t\tMark Laurlund<\/a>, Utility
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tDusan Djordjevic<\/a>, So., Utility
\n\t\t\tBryan Shapirshteyn<\/a>, Fr., Utility
\n\t\t\tWinston Loh<\/a>, Goalie
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tChristian Hammonds<\/a>, Jr., Attacker
\n\t\t\tJack Wright<\/a>, Jr., Attacker
\n\t\t\tNolan Roberts<\/a>, Attacker
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tCaleb Harrison<\/a>, So., Defender
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tLucas Romaguera<\/a>, Attacker
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tAlex Hegeman<\/a>, Jr., Goalie
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tGrant Kurtz<\/a>, Jr. Attacker
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tReef Lippa<\/a>, 5th Year, Attacker
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tMason Presley<\/a>, Sr., Utility
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tLachlan Rossi<\/a>, Jr., Center
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tDavidka Skov<\/a>, So., Attacker
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

2026\u00a0BIG WEST STANDINGS\u00a0(through 9\/22)<\/p>\n


\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tTeam
\n\t\t\tBig West
\n\t\t\t%
\n\t\t\tOverall
\n\t\t\t%
\n\t\t
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tLong Beach State
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t\t9-2
\n\t\t\t.818
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tCalifornia Baptist
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t\t11-3
\n\t\t\t.786
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tUC San Diego
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t\t9-3
\n\t\t\t.750
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tUC Irvine
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t\t9-5
\n\t\t\t.643
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tUC Santa Barbara
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t\t12-8
\n\t\t\t.600
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tCal State Fullerton
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t\t9-7
\n\t\t\t.562
\n\t\t
\n\t <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \n<\/p>\n

TRITONS AMONG BIG WEST LEADERS (through 9\/22)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n


\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2026 ACWPC NATIONAL POLL (9\/10)
\n\t\t\t2026 CWPA NATIONAL POLL (9\/16)
\n\t\t\t2026\u00a0BIG WEST COACHES’ PRESEASON POLL
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t1. UCLA
\n\t\t\t1. UCLA
\n\t\t\t1.\u00a0Long Beach State, 24 (4)
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2. USC
\n\t\t\t2. USC
\n\t\t\t2. UC Irvine, 19 (1)
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t3. Stanford
\n\t\t\t3. Stanford
\n\t\t\tt-3. UC San Diego, 16 (1)
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t4. California
\n\t\t\t4. California
\n\t\t\tt-3. California Baptist, 16
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t5. Fordham
\n\t\t\t5. Fordham
\n\t\t\t5.UC Santa Barbara, 10
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t6. Long Beach State
\n\t\t\ttie-6. UC Davis
\n\t\t\t6. Cal State Fullerton, 5
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t7. UC Davis
\n\t\t\ttie-6. Long Beach State
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t8. UC San Diego
\n\t\t\t8. Princeton
\n\t\t\t2026\u00a0BIG WEST COACHES’ PRESEASON TEAM
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t9. San Jose State
\n\t\t\t9. UC San Diego
\n\t\t\tGabi Acosta, Long Beach State
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t10. Pacific
\n\t\t\t10. Pacific
\n\t\t\tLandon Akerstrom<\/a>, UC San Diego
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t11. Pepperdine
\n\t\t\ttie-11. Pepperdine
\n\t\t\tCole Francisco, UC Irvine
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t12. Princeton
\n\t\t\ttie-11. San Jose State
\n\t\t\tAlex Hegeman<\/a>, UC San Diego
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t13. UC Irvine
\n\t\t\t13. UC Irvine
\n\t\t\tCharlie Johnson, UC Santa Barbara
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t14. Loyola Marymount
\n\t\t\t14. UC Santa Barbara
\n\t\t\tAndrea Nuzzo, California Baptist
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t15. Brown
\n\t\t\t15. Loyola Marymount
\n\t\t\tCorbin Stanley, Long Beach State
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t16. UC Santa Barbara
\n\t\t\t16. California Baptist
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t17. California Baptist
\n\t\t\t17. Santa Clara
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t18. Harvard
\n\t\t\t18. Brown
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t19. Santa Clara
\n\t\t\t19. Navy
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t20. Navy
\n\t\t\t20. Saint Mary’s
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tUCSD:\u00a08,8
\n\t\t\tUCSD:\u00a012,8,8,9
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

ACTIVE SCORING STREAKS (through 9\/22)
\n\u2022 12 games: Christian Hammonds<\/a>
\n\u2022 11 games: Jackson Boettner<\/a>
\n\u2022 11 games: Mason Presley<\/a>
\n\u2022 4 games: Jack Wright<\/a>
\n\u2022 2 games: Grant Kurtz<\/a>
\n\u2022 2 games: Reef Lippa<\/a>
\n\u2022 2 games: Lachlan Rossi<\/a>
\n\u00a0
\nGAME WINNING GOALS (through 9\/22)
\n\u2022 2 –\u00a0Jack Wright<\/a> (Bucknell, Pepperdine\u00a01)
\n\u2022 1 – Liam Amburgey<\/a> (La Verne)
\n\u2022 1 – Finn Bugelli<\/a> (Pepperdine 2)
\n\u2022 1 –\u00a0 Nolan Anderson<\/a> (Mercyhurst)
\n\u2022 1 – Christian Hammonds<\/a> (Cal State Fullerton 1)
\n\u2022 1 – Caleb Harrison<\/a> (Chapman)
\n\u2022 1 – Mason Presley<\/a> (UC Irvine 1)
\n\u2022 1 – Davidka Skov<\/a> (McKendree)
\nTOP TRITON SCORERS GOAL BREAKDOWN (through 9\/22)<\/p>\n

TRITON RECORDS (through 9\/22)<\/p>\n


\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tOverall
\n\t\t\t9-3
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tBig West
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tNon-conference
\n\t\t\t9-3
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tAt home
\n\t\t\t5-1
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tOn the road
\n\t\t\t1-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tAt at neutral site
\n\t\t\t3-2
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tIn overtime
\n\t\t\t1-1
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tScoring 0-3 goals
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tScoring 4-6\u00a0goals
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tScoring 7-9 goals
\n\t\t\t0-1
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tScoring 10-12 goals
\n\t\t\t2-1
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tScoring 13-15 goals
\n\t\t\t0-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tScoring 16-18 goals
\n\t\t\t2-1
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tScoring 19-20 goals
\n\t\t\t2-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tScoring 21-plus goals
\n\t\t\t3-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tOn Fridays
\n\t\t\t5-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tOn Saturdays
\n\t\t\t2-2
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tOn Sundays
\n\t\t\t2-1
\n\t\t
\n\t <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

DEBUT REVIEW
\nNine players made their debut for the Tritons during the season-opening Triton Invitational.
\n\u2022 Nolan Anderson<\/a> (Bucknell, 8\/28)
\n\u2022 Jack Elder<\/a> (Mercyhurst, 8\/28)
\n\u2022 Boston Frost<\/a> (Bucknell, 8\/28)
\n\u2022 Caleb Harrison<\/a> (Buckell, 8\/28)
\n\u2022 Chase Martsolf<\/a> (Bucknell, 828)
\n\u2022 Lucas Pearce<\/a>\u00a0(Bucknell, 8\/28)
\n\u2022 Michael Rodgers<\/a> (Bucknell, 8\/28)
\n\u2022 Bryan Shapirshteyn<\/a> (Bucknell, 8\/28)
\n\u2022 Jack Wright<\/a> (Bucknell, 8\/28)
\nTRITONS TO HOST 2026 NCAA NATIONAL COLLEGIATE MEN’S WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIP
\nIn October of 2024\u00a0the NCAA announced that UC San Diego will serve as host of the\u00a02026 National Collegiate Men’s Water Polo Championship\u00a0at Canyonview Aquatic Center.\u00a0The Tritons last hosted in 2014 as a Division II team. The 2026 event will be the first time they will host as a Division I squad. The NCAA received more than 1,200 bids from member schools, conferences, cities, and sports commissions across 47 states and Washington, D.C., all competing to host predetermined rounds for 87 of the NCAA’s 90 championships. The respective NCAA sports committees selected the sites, with final approval from the divisional competition oversight and championships committees. Read the complete press conference <\/a>here<\/a><\/p>\n

THEY CALL HIM USHA
\nUC San Diego is led by fifth-year head coach Matt “Usha”\u00a0Ustaszewski, who took over in 2022 when Denny Harper retired\u00a0after 42 years at the helm.\u00a0Ustaszewski earned his first victory as head coach on Sept. 3, 2022, as the Tritons defeated La Verne, 22-8, in the team’s season opener during the Triton Invitational.\u00a0In 2021, Ustaszewski completed\u00a0his ninth\u00a0season as associate head coach and 12th season overall on the UC San Diego men’s water polo staff. Usha is no stranger to the La Jolla campus. He was a co-captain of the fifth-ranked Triton water polo team as a senior in 2003 under the tutelage of Harper. He graduated in 2004, completing his bachelor’s degree in history (Europe emphasis) with a 3.5 grade-point average. For Usha’s complete bio, click here<\/a>.
\n\u00a0
\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tSeason
\n\t\t\tWins
\n\t\t\tLosses
\n\t\t\tPct.
\n\t\t\tConference\/Finish
\n\t\t\tWins
\n\t\t\tLosses
\n\t\t\tPct.
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2026
\n\t\t\t9
\n\t\t\t3
\n\t\t\t.750
\n\t\t\tBig West
\n\t\t\t0
\n\t\t\t0
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2025
\n\t\t\t21
\n\t\t\t10
\n\t\t\t677
\n\t\t\tBig West\/4th
\n\t\t\t2
\n\t\t\t3
\n\t\t\t.400
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2024
\n\t\t\t17
\n\t\t\t12
\n\t\t\t.586
\n\t\t\tBig West\/2nd
\n\t\t\t3
\n\t\t\t2
\n\t\t\t.600
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2023
\n\t\t\t17
\n\t\t\t13
\n\t\t\t.567
\n\t\t\tBig West\/3rd
\n\t\t\t3
\n\t\t\t2
\n\t\t\t.600
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2022
\n\t\t\t14
\n\t\t\t13
\n\t\t\t.519
\n\t\t\tWWPA\/3rd
\n\t\t\t6
\n\t\t\t2
\n\t\t\t.750
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tTotals
\n\t\t\t78
\n\t\t\t51
\n\t\t\t.605
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t\t-
\n\t\t
\n\t <\/p>\n

WHY THE TRITONS
\nThe Triton is described as the offspring of Poseidon and Amphitrite, a demigod of the sea with a lower part of the body like that of a fish. It is known as a mighty and fierce sea warrior. Given UC San Diego’s close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its connections with the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Triton became UC San Diego’s mascot in 1964.
\nFOR THE YOUNGER FANS
\nHave some young Triton fans in your family? If they are in eighth grade or under, check out the\u00a0Junior Triton Club<\/a>!\u00a0Membership includes a free t-shirt, admission to over 100 UC San Diego home athletic events, and much more!<\/p>\n

About UC San Diego Athletics
\nAfter two decades as one of the most successful\u00a0programs in\u00a0NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a\u00a0member of The Big West in\u00a0NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions\u00a0II\u00a0and III and helped guide\u00a01,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38\u00a0have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Story Links LA JOLLA, Calif.\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The No. 9 UC San Diego men’s water polo team…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":472640,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[74,76,75],"class_list":["post-472639","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472639","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=472639"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472639\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/472640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=472639"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=472639"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=472639"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}