Oct. 8, 2005

PASADENA, CALIF. - The No. 1-ranked Cal men's water polo team (10-2, 0-1) fell to No. 4-ranked UCLA, 7-4, Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center in both team's MPSF opener. The win extends the Bruins' home winning streak to 16 matches and is UCLA's second win over a number one team in less than a year. Earlier this season, the Golden Bears had defeated defending national champion UCLA, 8-7 in overtime, in the third place match of the SoCal Open in Irvine on Sept. 18.

Cal took the contest's first lead with an extra-man goal at the six minute mark in the first period as junior All-American John Mann netted the first of his two goals. UCLA fought back with two unanswered goals from Christian Pulido and Cameron Smith to take a 2-1 lead into the second period.

The two teams exchanged scores in the second quarter as UCLA took a 3-2 lead into halftime.

After the break, it was all UCLA. In the third period the Bruins' Russell Simpkins provided the only scoring with a shot that sailed past Cal goalkeeper Nate Bennett. Fourth period goals from Justin Johnson, Logan Powell and Thomas Foley gave UCLA the final edge it would need. The Bruins out-shot the Bears 19-18.

Cal will next host the 16-team 2005 NorCal Open, Oct. 15-16 at Miramonte High School and at Cal's Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Bears open the NorCal Open hosting UC Santa Cruz at 10:20 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 15 at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The full tournament schedule and bracket will be available on the men's water polo page on www.calbears.com.

Team                1        2        3        4        F
Cal                1        1        0        2        4
UCLA                2        1        1        3        7
Cal Goals: John Mann 2, Andrija Vasiljevic, Trent Calder
UCLA Goals: Christian Pulido, Cameron Smith, Matthew Jacobs,
Russell Simpkins, Justin Johnson, Logan Powell, Thomas Foley
UCLA Saves: Will Didinger 7
Cal Saves: Nate Bennett 2