The 2009 season ended on a sour note as the No. 6 Long Beach State 49ers men’s water polo team dropped a, 9-8, decision to No. 16 Pacific in a game that had huge implications on next week’s Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament. The 49ers needed to win Saturday to secure a spot in the tournament but the loss now ends their season. The 49ers finish the 2009 campaign at 9-12 overall and 1-7 in MPSF play.

The 49ers led for much of the game holding leads of 4-1, 5-1, 6-2, and 8-5 during the first, second and third quarters but were unable to find the back of the net in the fourth quarter as the Tigers came roaring back for the win.

Seniors Jeff Greenwood and Kevin Mundia along with sophomore Alexsandr Petrovic all scored two goals to lead The Beach on offense. Greenwood, who finishes his career No. 4 on the 49er all-time goals scored list with 177, scored his and Long Beach State’s final goal with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter to give The Beach an, 8-5, lead.

The game was also the last for 49er seniors Joe Sherrin and Derek Wiebe-Bailey. Goalie Wiebe-Bailey closed out a great career in fine fashion finishing with 8 saves. Wiebe-Bailey became the school’s single-season saves leader last season with 282 and finished his four-year career with 543 saves placing him No. 4 on the all-time list.

Senior Justin Koeppen scored a goal for The Beach in the third period to give The Beach a, 7-3, lead. Koeppen, a four-year letter-winner, finishes the year No. 4 in goals scored with 14. Koeppen has scored 85 goals in his career at The Beach placing him No. 25 on the all-time 49er goals scored list. 

Senior Kevin Mundia had his best season as a 49er this year scoring 16 goals and was third in goals scored this season.

LBSU Goals: Mundia -2, Greenwood -2, Petrovic -2, Ju-Koeppen, Jo-Koeppen

LBSU SAVES: Wiebe-Bailey -8

Reports From LBSU