California
USC
10/10/2004 12:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
Oct. 9, 2004
LOS ANGELES, CA - Despite three goals from sophomore Andrija Vasiljevic, the No. 4-ranked Cal men's water polo team (10-4, 0-1) continued its struggle with No. 3 USC (11-2, 1-1), falling to the Trojans, 9-7, Saturday at McDonald's Swim Stadium. It was the Golden Bears' third loss to USC this season, falling 11-6 in the SoCal Tournament Sept. 19 and 14-10 in the NorCal Tournament Oct. 3.
Vasiljevic led all scorers with three goals, true freshman Michael Sharf added two goals and junior goalie Nate Bennett had nine saves, but it wasn't enough as the Trojans held off Cal in the Bears' first MPSF match of the year. USC was led by junior Juraj Zatovic and senior James Shin with two goals apiece.
With the score 3-3 in the second quarter, Trojan freshman Jordan Van Norman put USC ahead for good with 17 seconds left in the period. Cal cut the deficit to 7-6 in the fourth, but USC pulled away on goals by Cameron Kaiser and Shin.
The Bears will next host the Pac-10's other Los Angeles school, UCLA, Saturday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. at Spieker Aquatics Complex. Cal upended the Bruins earlier this season, 10-9, in the third-place match of the SoCal Tournament, Sept. 19.
Cal (10-4, 0-1) 1-2-2-2---7 USC (11-2, 1-1) 2-2-2-3---9Cal Goals: Andrija Vasiljevic 3, Michael Sharf 2, John Mann, Brian Kinsel USC Goals: Juraj Zatovic 2, James Shin 2, Thomas Hale, Juan Delgadillo, Jordan Van Norman, Cameron Kaiser, Thomas Corcoran
Goalie Saves: Nate Bennett (CAL) 9, Don Ricci (USC) 6
