REDLANDS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's water polo opened the 2026 season Friday at the Inland Empire Classic, facing a pair of Division I opponents at the Thompson Aquatic Center. The Kingsmen fell to UC Irvine, 19-8, before dropping a 20-10 decision to California Baptist in the afternoon.
GAME ONE: UC IRVINE 19, CAL LUTHERAN 8
Cal Lutheran opened the tournament against UC Irvine, falling 19-8 in the season opener.
Paul Patterson picked up where he left off last season, leading the Kingsmen with three goals and an assist.
Levi Cook added a goal, while
Max Gerdeman scored twice in his season debut.
The Anteaters built a 7-2 lead after the opening period and extended the advantage to 12-4 at halftime. Cal Lutheran matched Irvine with two goals in each of the final two quarters.
Nate Lanier and
Carson DaKroob each scored their first career goals in the fourth quarter. The Kingsmen totaled 25 shots and seven assists, while
Jacob Taff and
Jaeger Gonzales combined for 10 saves in goal.
GAME TWO: CAL BAPTIST 20, CAL LUTHERAN 10
The Kingsmen returned to the pool in the afternoon against Cal Baptist, falling 20-10.
Patterson again paced the offense with three goals, while Cook scored twice and added two assists. Gerdeman continued his strong opening day with another goal.
Cal Lutheran trailed 7-5 after the opening period, but the Lancers extended their advantage to 11-7 at halftime before holding the Kingsmen scoreless in the third quarter.
Luke Larson and
Landon Cleveland each scored their first career goals, while
Merrick Giles and
Luke Chang also found the back of the net.
Levi Cook added a pair of steals, while Taff and
Dylan Bassler combined for 10 saves.
Through the opening two games, Patterson leads the Kingsmen with six goals, while Cook has three goals and two assists.
UP NEXT
Cal Lutheran continues play at the Inland Empire Classic on Saturday, September 5, facing Fresno Pacific at 11 a.m. before meeting Concordia University Irvine at 5 p.m.
