Keelhaulers head to Merced for final postseason tune-up
Tournament 2
UC Merced Tournament
Hosted by UC Merced
Saturday, Oct. 23-Sunday, Oct. 24
Merced, Calif. — Aquatics Center
Game 5
Cal Maritime Keelhaulers (3-1)
vs.
UC Davis Aggies
Saturday, Oct. 23 – 10:05 a.m.
Video
Game 6
Cal Maritime Keelhaulers
vs.
Chico State Wildcats
Saturday, Oct. 23 – 2:30 p.m.
Video
Game 7
Cal Maritime Keelhaulers
vs.
Stanford Cardinal
Sunday, Oct. 24 – 11:15 a.m.
Game 8
Cal Maritime Keelhaulers
vs.
San José State Spartans
Sunday, Oct. 24 – 2:30 p.m.
VALLEJO, Calif. – Following a successful start to the 2021 season earlier this month at its own tournament, the Keelhauler Classic, Cal Maritime will return to action in Merced, California, when it faces UC Davis, Chico State, Stanford and San Jose State throughout the two-day UC Merced Tournament.
Men's water polo's will face the Aggies (10:05 a.m.) and Wildcats (2:30 p.m.) on Saturday in its inaugural pair of games, and wrap-up its time at the Aquatics Center the following day versus Stanford (11:15 a.m.) and San Jose State (2:30 p.m.).
Live streams of both Keelhauler games taking place on Saturday are available by clicking here.
This weekend's tournament is an important one for Cal Maritime since everyone will return to PEAC Pool the following weekend to participate in the Sierra Pacific Tournament. Since games in Merced are the Keelhaulers' last before postseason play begins, positive results earned against a challenging set of opponents this weekend will help the team generate momentum and strengthen team chemistry — two elements that can fuel the team's league and potential national playoff appearances throughout the upcoming weeks.
"There are two weekends coming up with different strategies," said head coach Steve Doten. "I am going to play a lot of people, which will help everyone gain experience and me finalize personnel for the playoffs.
"I have a better understanding of the team this week than I did a few weeks ago. We want to win games since that affects seedings for the postseason tournament, but more importantly, we want to improve and become a better team."
As was the case at the Keelhauler Classic, Cal Maritime will begin the weekend against the UC Davis Aggies. In their last meeting, four fourth-period goals scored by the Keelhaulers turned a 4-3 score into an 8-6 victory.
"That was a good outcome against UC Davis, but we need to work hard and keep improving because that team is hungry to face us because of that previous result. This is a competitive start to the tournament, we want to come out and play at a high level to set the tone for the rest of the weekend," said Doten.
This is the first time Cal Maritime will face Stanford and SJSU this season; it also squared off against Chico State in the final match of the Keelhauler Classic and defeated the Wildcats by a 9-5 score.
Added Doten, "There are only a few guys who know what to expect, and how to compete on the road. Not only are these the first road games for many of the guys, but this is also my first road tournament with this team. I am eager to see how everyone handles the various challenges and adversity that takes place throughout the weekend."