Men’s water polo is red hot right now as they look to take the conference by storm and add onto their three game win streak. They are currently 10-16 with a 2-0 conference record.

Concordia has had a lot of difficult opponents so far and a losing record may not be a fair representation of how good they really are. However, men’s water polo is making no excuses and only looking at how they can improve.

“We play against DI teams all year, which some might see as a disadvantage since our league only has seven teams,” said Konstantinos Koulouris, graduate utility. “However, I believe these challenging games against DI opponents help us grow more than easy wins would. It’s not just about the record; it’s about learning from failures and refining our approach to success.” Koulouris is having a stellar season so far, with 91 points in 25 games.

“I believe I wouldn’t be in this position without my teammates and coaches. Their support and guidance have a major impact on my performance, and I gain strength from them every day. I’ve never experienced such a supportive and friendly environment as the one we’ve built here. The key to my personal achievements is rooted in the trust we share. I’m truly grateful to be part of a team like this,” Koulouris added.

Concordia has managed to put forward one strong performance after another including back-to-back wins against Division I schools Mount Saint Mary’s University and Wagner College. They also put up a valiant effort in a heartbreaking 19-20 loss against number four ranked Pepperdine University.

The success that they’ve had so far and will have in the future is all thanks to this tight knit brotherhood who are willing to work hard for each other every day.

“Our team is definitely capable of even being better and our record doesn't show some of the accomplishments we have had this season so far,” said sophomore center Cade Peterson. They are working hard to have their talent reflected in the record this week by “mastering the different plays we run in the pool” and “[watching] film breakdowns [of] our opponents.”

“We are also preparing in practice by our coach's game plan to beat Biola for the second time this season so we can secure the number one seed in conference championships in late November,” said Peterson.

“Our main focus is to maintain momentum and stay consistent with our game plans and practices. By doing this, we can keep building confidence and chemistry as a team, progressing with each game. Our current goal is to sustain high intensity and keep a strong sense of control throughout the season,” said Koulouris.

While water polo may not be the most popular sport among students in Southern California, our men’s team needs all the support they can get for these games, and the fans can have a great time cheering on the team.

Concordia plays all home matches at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center. The center creates a great atmosphere for fans to enjoy the game from and is surrounded by the many shopping centers of Irvine for students to go get food from after.

“For non-water polo fans, I would simply tell people that there is never a dull moment when watching the sport,” said junior center defender Luke Addington. “The objectives of the game are simple and easy to understand: score more goals than the other team. Water polo is a fascinating sport to watch as there is always something happening, all while people in the water are fighting it out between each other and trying to score goals in the process.”

Peterson adds that the games “are fun to watch with the excitement of our high scoring performances and how physical it can get in the water.” Come watch their home conference opener today at 7 p.m. as they look to beat Biola and move to 3-0 in the conference. To stay up to date, follow their account on instagram, @cuimwp.

Tags: Men's Athletics

---

About Joseph Panetta

More articles by Joseph Panetta