GENEVA, Ohio — They say the third time is the charm, and unfortunately for Biola Men's Water Polo that turned out to be true for their opponents, Concordia University Irvine, during Sunday's Western Water Polo Association championship.
The Golden Eagles of Concordia were playing in the WWPA Championship match for the third year in a row, and they had previously been unsuccessful, losing to Biola in 2023 and Salem in 2024. This time, though, CUI rode its league-leading goalkeeper and bullpen of shooters to a 9-5 win to end Biola's season and pick up its first WWPA title.
It was the third match up of the season between these two sides, and the win gives Concordia the season series win, and also helps them punch a ticket to the NCAA tournament.
The Golden Eagles took charge of the game early and held Biola to a significant margin throughout the entire match. Biola's shooting and passing was simply not crisp enough to get the job done today against conference player of the year Pablo de Souza.
The big highlight of the day for Biola, as has been the case through much of the season and this WWPA tournament run, was goalkeeper Joshua Dachenhausen. The senior starting keeper did all he could throughout the match to keep his team in it, logging 10 saves in a valiant effort.
The Eagles had some trouble with turnovers in this one as Concordia picked up 15 steals to help afford them more offensive possessions. CUI also converted at a higher rate throughout the afternoon, shooting 30 percent as they scored nine times on 30 shots.
Levi Bengelink ended his season with a hat trick as he drove the offense for Biola. It was his second three-goal performance of the season. Coincidentally enough, the freshman scored three times in his first appearance back in August and now a hat trick in the final match.
The other BU goals came from Noah Ryznar and Adam Lavoy. Speaking of Lavoy, this gives us one more chance to thank the Biola group of seniors for their contributions to the program as they donned their Biola caps one final time.
The championship appearance ended Biola's season at 10-21 overall. The tournament run to the championship match was an encouraging finish for the first year under head coach Jens Cole.
The WWPA All-Tournament team was also announced at the end of the event. Dachenhausen and Adam Lavoy both landed on the all-tournament first team and
Gavin McKenzie was named to the WWPA All-Tournament second team.
Now, the team will turn its attention to soaking up some final moments with one another as they close this chapter and begin to think forward to what 2026 has in store.
