STANFORD, Calif. — Big West champion Long Beach State fell to No. 3 Fordham, 16-11 in the opening round of the 2024 NC Men's National Collegiate Water Polo Championship on Friday evening at Avery Aquatics Center in Stanford, Calif.   

Fordham found its way on the scoreboard first with an early 2-0 lead before LBSU roared back and tied the game 2-2 before the Rams notched another tally to end the first quarter with a 3-2 advantage.  

In the second period of play, both sides were denied penalty shots after the two goalies came up big before the Rams went on a run and extended their lead to 7-5 at the midway mark. All five of LBSU’s first-half goals were scored by different student-athletes, with Gabi Acosta, Evan Cain, Caleb Francisco, and Harper Stewart all finding the net in the first half. 

From there, Fordham scored three straight and went in front 10-5. Alec Johnson and Acosta jolted LBSU’s offense after accounting for two tallies, but the eight-goal outburst for Fordham in the third quarter found the Beach behind, 13-7.    

The Rams offense was too much to overcome in the final frame as the Beach fell 11-16 to end the night. 

Andras Toth of Fordam tallied four goals to lead all players in the pool. Thomas Lercari registered three steals and four saves for the Rams in the win.    

Stewart tied the freshman’s career-high in goals and assists (3) while pacing Long Beach State with a hat trick. 2024 Big West Men's Water Polo Championship MVP Aaron Wilson recorded a 11 saves and a trio of steals in the setback. This is the fifth time Wilson stopped double-digit shots in the cage this season.  

The Beach ends their season at 20-11 overall. LBSU entered the national postseason after having the toughest path in The Big West Championship and downed UC San Diego 10-8 in the final to earn automatic qualification in the dance.   

Following today's result, Long Beach State competed in its first NCAA Championship game in since 2011. The Black and Gold have competed on the national stage 14 times in its program's history.     

No. 3 Fordham remains undefeated improves to 31-0 overall and will now square off against No. 2 seed and Southern California in the 2024 National Collegiate Men's Water Polo Championship Semifinals on Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. With the win, the Rams recorded their first postseason victory in program history and are still in search of their first national crown.  

The 2024 National Collegiate Men's Water Polo Championship Final will be held on Dec. 8 at 3 p.m nationally televised on ESPNU and streamed on ESPN+.