The Oregon men’s water polo club started its season with a splash, sweeping the opening league tournament Oct. 8-9 at the Amazon Pool in Eugene by a combined score of 54-17.
This season also marks the first title defense in the club’s history, and spirits are high because the squad is virtually unchanged from last year’s winning combination.
“We think we can play with the No. 1 team in the country and give them a run for their money,” graduate student George Slavich said.
After winning four out of six matches at a warm-up tournament at UC Davis, the Ducks returned home for a rematch of last year’s Northwest Division title game against Oregon State University. The previous contest against the Beavers ended in a 10-9 thriller, but Oregon put any chance of another close match away early, jumping out to a 9-2 lead and cruising to a 18-7 victory. The first match set the tone for the rest of the tournament, as the Ducks smashed the University of
Portland and Central Washington by tallies of 17-5 and 14-5 respectively. Oregon was also scheduled to face Washington State, but because of time constraints, the Cougars forfeited.
With more than half of the short water polo season already complete, the experienced Duck team can be forgiven for looking ahead to the postseason. Oregon returns all but one member of the squad that placed eighth in last year’s national tournament, and that lone loss to the roster, Stephen Imperiale-Hagerman, returns for his second year of coaching the squad.
“A national championship is not out of the question,” Imperiale-Hagerman said.
Leading the Ducks in the water will be first team All-American and Northwest Division MVP Mark Welch.
“He’s the most talented player on our team,” Slavich said.
Standing out among the new faces suiting up for Oregon is freshman Trapper Felt, who, despite his youth, will see significant playing time.
“He has good fundamental knowledge of the game and is very dedicated to the team,” Slavich said.
The coaching staff echoes the concept of team exemplified by Felt and others.
“(Water polo) is six people working together toward a common goal,” Imperiale-Hagerman said.
Most of the Ducks’ depth of talent and experience won’t be on display until they are fortunate enough to advance to the national tournament, because of the grueling nature of the competition.
“There are a lot of good teams and lots of games in a short amount of time” Slavich said.
Before it arrives at nationals, Oregon must utilize its veteran skills and play well throughout the season without sinking to the level of play common in the weak Northwest division.
“(The team) understands the caliber of play in games that really matter,” Imperiale-Hagerman said.
The Ducks will round out the regular season next weekend with a four-match tournament in Corvallis, which includes a dangerous meeting with Washington and another rematch with the Beavers, before advancing to the regional tournament to defend their title.
“The only way we will lose is if we don’t bring our ‘A’ game,” Imperiale-Hagerman said.