Men's water polo kicks of 2021 season

The Chapman men's water polo team returns to the Allred Olympic pool to face Pomona-Pitzer on Sat., Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. After an unprecedented 2020-21 season, all nine men's water polo teams return to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) after a competition-lacking 2020 fall.

The 2021 season began on Sept. 4 with seven teams competing in non-conference action. The Panthers take the pool with some key talent from the 2019 season as well as some new talent adding depth to the 2020 roster.  

Andy Anguiano, the native of Oxnard, Calif., returns to the Panthers after an impressive 2019 season. Anguiano appeared in 27 matches and scored 33 goals while tallying 16 assists. Anguinao is joined by Orange, Calif. native Brad Wilson who saw action in 26 matches during the 2019 season scoring 32 goals and tallying 35 assists. 

Defender Evan Belli returns to the pool for the Panthers after appearing in 26 matches during the 2019 season scoring 40 goals with 33 assists. 

The Panthers dropped their first match 23-8 to UC Irvine on Sat. with Anguiano scoring 3 goals followed by freshman Nate Randolph's 2. Randolph was a three-time All-League selection in High School and led Mountain View to an undefeated league championship in 2018.

Head coach Eric Ploessel highlighted the strength expected at center position this season. Noah Baird joins the Panthers for his first season, Baird was a three-time All League selection in high school leading his team in goals scored and ejections drawn. Two transfers, Jacob Bullock and Ryan Baumann, add depth to the 2021 roster alongside Everett Prussak and Spencer Snow in their debut as Panthers. 

Chapman takes on UC Santa Barbara on the road Sat., Sep. 11 at 11:40 a.m. and the Air Force Academy at 4 p.m. in the 2021 Inland Empire Classic.