Oct. 30, 2004

BERKELEY, CA - Sophomore Andrija Vasiljevic tallied an impressive five goals as the No. 5-ranked California men's water polo team (13-7, 2-4) defeated No. 11-ranked Pepperdine (9-11, 1-4), 10-8, in a MPSF match Saturday at Spieker Aquatics Complex. Vasiljevic, who had three goals in the first period and a goal in the third and fourth quarters, has been on a scoring tear of late, notching 15 goals in the last seven matches. He now has 25 goals in 20 matches this season.

Despite Vasiljevic's three first period goals, the Bears trailed the Waves, 4-3, behind Grant Miller's three goals and a goal by Adam Hewko. Cal turned the tide in the second quarter, however, outscoring Pepperdine, 3-1. After Hewko scored his second goal at 6:11 in the half, the Bears received consecutive goals from sophomores Brian Bacharach, John Mann and Brian Kinsel to take a 6-5 lead at half.

Cal sophomore Marty Matthies scored the first goal of the second half with 4:08 left in the third period to give the Bears a 7-5 lead. Hewko responded with another goal to get the Waves within 7-6, but Vasiljevic and Bacharach scored at 1:35 and 1:19, respectively, in the quarter to give Cal a 9-6 lead entering the final period.

Although Pepperdine outscored the Bears, 2-1, in the final period, Cal had enough cushion to win the match. Miller scored his fourth goal of the day for the Waves with 3:45 left, Vasiljevic countered with a goal at 2:50, and Doug Mann scored his first goal of the day for Pepperdine with 2:30 left in the contest for the final, 10-8, margin.

The Bears next host Pacific, Thursday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

Pepp ---- 4 - 1 - 1 - 2 --- 8
Cal ----- 3 - 3 - 3 - 1 --- 10
Pepp: Miller 4, Hewko 3, Mann.
Cal: Vasiljevic 5, Bacharach 2, Mann, Matthies, Kinsel.
Saves: Miller (Pepp) 7; Bennett (Cal) 5