Men's Water Polo

Defense Carries Beach to Semifinals

MALIBU, Calif. - In the 15 games within league play for the Golden Coast Conference regular season, 14 saw the winner score at least 10 goals. Not in the second game of the 2019 GCC Men's Water Polo Championships. Defense made an appearance and it helped No. 4 seed Long Beach State to an 8-4 win over No. 5 seed San Jose State Friday afternoon.

LINKS: Box Score | 2019 Awards | Championship Central 2019 Bracket | 2019 Stats | 2019 Standings 2019 Results

Junior goalie Marwan Darwish, who was named the 2018 GCC Men's Championship MVP after leading the Beach to the tournament title a year ago, continued his stellar tournament play with nine saves, including a pair of shutout quarters in the first half. He allowed just four goals on 26 shots. 

Austin Stewart, Matt Morris and Rafael Real Vergara had two goals each for the Beach (17-12), who advances to face top-seed Pacific in the second semifinal Saturday at 1 pm. San Jose State (7-19) saw Yahav Fire make seven saves while Marc Weber and Adam Bado had two goals each.

San Jose State will play in fifth place game Saturday at 9:30 am.