MWP Ends Opening Day with 20-17 Win Over D1 Mercyhurst

LA JOLLA, CA — The University of La Verne men's water polo team ended the opening day of the 2026 season with a bang, taking down NCAA Division I Mercyhurst 20-17 at the UC San Diego Triton Invitational.

Newcomer Xavier Turla led the Leopards with four goals on his debut day in green and orange. The Goldwest College transfer netted two goals in the first quarter, helping La Verne jump out to an early 3-0 lead. He added two more in the third quarter, extending the Leopards' lead to 15-11.

Timothy Robles finished with three goals, scoring twice in the first period as part of the Leopards' seven-goal quarter.

Returners Jordan Baker, Nicolo Buno, Ethan Estephan, and Zachariah Barclay scored two goals apiece.

Cerritos College transfer Christian Acosta added two goals. Fellow Cerritos Falcon turned La Verne Leopard Johan Gaytan and Long Beach City transfer Matthew Kingston each scored once. William Roby Unkovich added a fourth-quarter score.

The Leopards opened the day against the host Tritons, falling 23-6.

La Verne continues the Triton Invitational tomorrow with an 8 a.m. match against McKendree University, followed by a 1:20 p.m. bout with Long Beach State.

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Players Mentioned

#19 Zachariah Barclay: UTL; 5' 8"; Senior; San Diego Shores

#13 Ethan Estephan: ATT; 6' 1"; Sophomore; Foothill

#9 Timothy Robles: UTL; 6' 1"; Senior; Commerce

#4 Jordan Baker: ATT; 6' 1"; Senior

#14 William Roby Unkovich: UTL; 6' 0"; Sophomore; Foothill

#6 Xavier Turla: ATT; 5' 8"; Junior

#8 Christian Acosta: UTL; 6' 1"; Junior

#11 Johan Gaytan: CD; 6' 0"; Junior

#17 Matthew Kingston: UTL; 5' 10"; Junior; Kings Elite, CV Premier

Players Mentioned

#19 Zachariah Barclay
: 5' 8"; Senior; San Diego Shores
: UTL

#13 Ethan Estephan
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; Foothill
: ATT

#9 Timothy Robles
: 6' 1"; Senior; Commerce
: UTL

#4 Jordan Baker
: 6' 1"; Senior
: ATT

#14 William Roby Unkovich
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; Foothill
: UTL

#6 Xavier Turla
: 5' 8"; Junior
: ATT

#8 Christian Acosta
: 6' 1"; Junior
: UTL

#11 Johan Gaytan
: 6' 0"; Junior
: CD

#17 Matthew Kingston
: 5' 10"; Junior; Kings Elite, CV Premier
: UTL