Oct. 14, 2006

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The No. 2-ranked California men's water polo team (16-2) won its first two matches of the SoCal Open, defeating No. 6-ranked Loyola Marymount (9-6), 17-4; and No. 13 Pepperdine (8-10), 14-6, Saturday at the Commerce Pool on the USC campus. The Golden Bears will now face No. 4-ranked UCLA at 11:20 a.m. in the semifinal match at McDonald's Swim Stadium.

In the first round match against Loyola Marymount, Cal was led by senior John Mann's three goals, and two goals apiece from senior Andrija Vasiljevic, and juniors Kevin Platshon, Jeff Tyrrell and Zac Monsees. Junior goalie Mark Sheredy finished with eight saves, one assist and four steals. Platshon and Warden also added two steals apiece and Monsees had a team-best four assists.

In the victory over Pepperdine, the Bears were led by Tyrrell's three goals, and two goals by Mann, junior Michael Sharf, sophomore Trent Calder and freshman Spencer Warden. Platshon had a team-best three steals and three assists, while Sheredy ended with eight saves two assists and two steals. Mann and senior Brian Kinsel each had two ejections earned. Cal was 14 of 26 on shots on goal against the Waves.

California 17, Loyola Marymount 4
CAL    6 - 5 - 4 - 2 -- 17
LMU    0 - 2 - 1 - 1 -- 4
SCORING:
CAL -- Mann 3, Platshon 2, Tyrrell 2,
Vasiljevic 2, Monsees 2, Bacharach,
Kinsel, Haley, Sharf, Calder, Warden.
LMU -- Volosin 2, Fair, Hernandez.
Goalie saves; Sheredy (Cal) 8

California 14, Pepperdine 6
CAL    4 - 3 - 2 - 5 -- 14
PEP     1 - 1 - 1 - 3 -- 6
SCORING:
CAL -- Tyrrell 3, Mann 2, Sharf 2, Calder 2,
Warden 2, Bacharach, Kinsel,
Matthies.
PEP -- Auer 2, Willis 2, Mann, Busby.
Goalie saves; Sheredy (Cal) 8