Norwalk, Calif. – In the South Coast Conference Championship Tournament, the Mt. SAC Men's Water Polo Team finished second overall after defeating Rio Hondo and Cerritos on Thursday, November 6 before falling to Long Beach in the final matchup on Saturday, November 8. The Mounties' strong showing improves their record to 15–11 and earns them the No. 5 seed in the 2025 3C2A SoCal Regional Championships, set to begin Thursday, November 13.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

GAME 1: Mounties Surge Past Rio Hondo, 22–9

The Mounties opened the tournament with a statement win, dominating Rio Hondo from start to finish. Andon Hanson led the charge with four goals, followed by Jack Painton with three, while Parker Montgomery, Paco Lopez, and Ruben Millan each added two. Goalkeepers Noah Musman (7 saves) and Tyler Johnson (5 saves) kept the defense steady as Mt. SAC's balanced attack overwhelmed the Roadrunners. The victory set the tone for a strong tournament run and showcased the Mounties' depth and chemistry in the pool.

GAME 2: Mounties Outlast Cerritos in a Thriller, 18–16

In one of the most exciting matchups of the tournament, the Mounties battled through a back-and-forth shootout to edge out Cerritos College, 18–16. The offense was firing on all cylinders, led by Nicolas Flores, Trevor Davis, and Jacob Carlson, who each netted four goals. Nazareth Longoria-Morasky and Aidan Gillooly chipped in key scores that sealed the deal down the stretch. After trailing 11–9 entering the final period, Mt. SAC erupted for nine goals in the fourth quarter to steal the win. Michael Hale anchored the defense with 11 crucial saves, helping the Mounties punch their ticket to the championship game.

GAME 3: Mounties Fall to Long Beach in Championship Match, 21–5

The Mounties met their match in the championship round, where Long Beach City College displayed its offensive firepower en route to a 21–5 victory. The Vikings set the tone early with six first-period goals and never looked back. Mt. SAC's Jacob Carlson provided a spark with three goals, while Noah Musman battled hard in goal, tallying seven saves. Despite the loss, the Mounties fought with determination until the final whistle, capping off a strong tournament run against one of the state's elite programs.

NEXT UP:

The Mounties now shift their focus to the 2025 3C2A SoCal Regional Championships, where they'll face No. 4–seeded San Diego Mesa (23–8–1) on Friday, November 14, at 11:15 a.m. at Southwestern College in Chula Vista.

STAY CONNECTED:

Follow Mt. SAC Men's Water Polo on twitter @mtsacaquatics or Instagram /mtsacaquatics/

Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics Instagram /mtsac_athletics/ or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics

For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630