Nov. 24, 2006

IRVINE, CALIF. - The No. 2-ranked California (27-4) men's water polo team started off the 2006 MPSF Tournament on a fine note, dominating No. 10-ranked Long Beach State, 17-6, in the opening round Friday at the Anteater Aquatic Complex on the UC Irvine campus. The Golden Bears, the tournament's No. 2-seed, were led by senior All-American John Mann and junior All-American Michael Sharf with three goals apiece. Freshman Spencer Warden, and seniors Marty Matthies and Andrija Vasiljevic, also chipped in two goals each.

The Bears will now face No. 3-ranked UCLA, Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the tournament semifinal. The Bruins were a 17-1 winner over Pacific in another opening day match. Cal has defeated UCLA twice this season; 8-6, Oct. 15 in the semifinals of the SoCal Open, and, 8-7, Nov. 4 in Berkeley. In the first round matches, No. 1 seed USC defeated host UC Irvine, 13-2, and No. 4 Stanford topped UC Santa Barbara, 12-9.

Other highlights for Cal were junior goalie Mark Sheredy registering seven saves in three quarters, Vasiljevic pacing the Bears with an impressive five assists and junior Kevin Platshon leading Cal with three steals.

The Bears jumped out to a 6-1 lead after the first period and held a 10-1 advantage at halftime against the 49ers, coached by former Cal standout Gavin Arroyo. Long Beach State (10-16) was led by Clint Wilson and Greg Henneman with two goals apiece. Ten different players scored for Cal.

Long Beach State       1 - 0 - 2 - 3 --- 6
California             6 - 4 - 4 - 3 --- 17

LBSU:  Wilson 2, Henneman 2, Bradley, Benson.

Cal:  Mann 3, Sharf 3, Warden 2, Matthies 2,
Vasiljevic 2, Hayes, Reynolds,
Calder, Tyrell, Monsees.

Saves:  MacKenzie (LBSU) 7, Anderson (LBSU) 1;
Sheredy (Cal) 6, Hillard
(Cal) 1.