Game of the Week: No. 8 UCSD water polo vs No. 8 LMU

No. 8 UC San Diego men’s water polo (13-6, 1-1 Big West) will host No. 8 Loyola Marymount University (13-6, 4-0 West Coast Conference) at Canyonview Aquatic Center on Saturday, Oct. 24, giving the Tritons the opportunity to strike back from their close loss earlier this season in September.

Last month, the Tritons fell to the Lions in the annual Battle of the Kings. Compared to the previous year, when the Tritons dominated with a 14-9 victory over the Lions, this year resulted in a grueling one-goal loss. This revenge rematch falls in the middle of a three-game weekend during which UCSD will travel to No.

6 UC Irvine for Big West play before hosting No. 1 Stanford on Sunday, Oct. 25. Since last month’s loss, the Tritons have gained some momentum — UCSD opened Big West play with a win and worked to maintain its 13-6 overall season record. Sophomore utility player Jackson Boettner scored four goals in both of UCSD’s wins against the University of Redlands and Pomona-Pitzer in Claremont on Oct.

2. Senior utility player Landon Akerstrom returned from injury to take his place in the Triton squad for the first time since September 2025 and scored in the second period of UCSD’s win against the Bulldogs. UCSD will host the NCAA Championship from Dec. 4 to Dec.