MALIBU, Calif. – A year after knocking off top-seed Pacific to win the 2018 title, Long Beach State did it again, this time in the semifinals. The Beach will advance to the 2019 Golden Coast Conference Men's Water Polo Championships title game thanks to their 13-12 victory over fourth-ranked and top-seed Pacific Saturday afternoon.

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Long Beach State (18-12) got off to a strong start with two goals in the first two minutes by Eduardo Wainberg. That helped LBSU hold off Pacific (16-4), and the Beach ended the first half leading the Tigers 8-5. 
 
Long Beach State continued their impressive offensive efforts holding off the Tigers to an 11-8 lead going into the fourth quarter. Pacific came back firing in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Beach 4-2, but could never quite pull even and Long Beach State held off the Tigers and pulled off the upset win. Senior Austin Stewart led the way with four goals. 
 
Following Stewart, the freshman Wainberg had a career-high three goals on the day. Djordje Stanic led Pacific with four goals.

Pepperdine will face Long Beach State for the 2019 GCC Tourmament Title at 1 pm. The Gauchos will face Pacific in the third place game at 11 am.