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Rapp shot
18
Biola BU (11-21, 2-3)
19
Winner Salem University SU (19-3, 5-0)
Biola BU
(11-21, 2-3)
18
Final
19
Salem University SU
(19-3, 5-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Biola BU 5 3 7 3 18
Salem University SU 4 4 9 2 19

Game Recap: Men's Water Polo | | Ethan McGarvey, Sports Information Director

Late Surge Comes Up Short in Shootout

An offensive battle finished with a final push from the Eagles but BU was thwarted by Salem, falling in the WWPA Tournament Semifinals.


IRVINE, Calif. --- The Biola men's water polo team came up just short in the WWPA Championships Semifinals against the top seed out of the east, Salem University. The Eagles fought all the way until the end, falling short by just one goal in a 19-18 match.

John Grasso ran the show in the first quarter against Salem's defense. The senior put the Eagles on the board in the second minute of the match then went on to score back-to-back-to-back goals on three-straight BU possessions. Nolan Rapp added the final goal of the first quarter, as the Eagles outscored the Tigers 5-4. 

Grasso opened up the second frame with another shot to the back of the net, but the Tigers were quick to answer back. Rapp and Kyle Seifen both scored a goal in the second quarter, but the Tigers continued to find a way on the attack. The Eagles entered halftime with a tie-game in their hands and a trip to the championship game on the line. 

An outburst from Salem in the third quarter altered the course of the game. Three goals for the Tigers in the first minute of the second half, put them firmly in control. The flurry completed a 5-0 run for Salem, as SU drew back-to-back five-meter penalties to push ahead.

Both offenses were nearly unstoppable in the third quarter with a combined 16 goals. Rapp, Grasso, and Caleb Hernandez each picked up a pair of scores, as the Eagles scored seven in the eight minute stretch.

Gavin McKenzie opened the scoring in the fourth, bringing BU within one at 17-16. Salem responded and added a cushion to its lead with two goals in the middle of the fourth. 

Biola was not done and looked to close the gap in the final minutes. Adam LaVoy struck first with a powerplay at 2:25 and then Nick Murray did the same with 1:15 on the clock. Unfortunately, the scoreline would stay there, ending the game at 19-18 in Salem's favor.

The offense for the Eagles was electric with 18 goals and 13 assists. Grasso was the catalyst, landing seven goals for a career-best mark. 

Rapp and Hernandez offered well-rounded performances with six points each. Rapp came through with four goals, two assists, and a steal, while Hernandez posted two tallies and four helpers.

Despite giving up 19 goals, Mitchell Carpenter kept a plethora more off the board for the Tigers with 14 saves on the day. 

The Eagles will complete their 2024 campaign on Sunday against #2E Gannon at 11:00 am in the third-place game.
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