Nov. 4, 2006

BERKELEY, CALIF. - Senior All-American John Mann scored the match-winning goal with 6:07 left in the fourth period, powering the No. 2-ranked California men's water polo team (22-3, 5-1 MPSF) to an 8-7 victory over No. 3-ranked UCLA (10-5, 1-2 MPSF) Saturday in a packed house at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Golden Bears were also bolstered by the strong defense of freshman Spencer Warden and junior goalie Mark Sheredy. Warden tallied five steals and Sheredy had nine saves and a key steal with 26 seconds left in the match.

Cal had owned a 6-3 lead early in third period on a goal by junior All-American Michael Sharf with 7:00 left in the quarter. UCLA came storming back, outscoring the Bears, 4-1, the rest of the third period and finally tied the contest, 7-7, with 2:54 left on Michael March's second goal of the quarter.

Nether team scored in the next couple of minutes until Mann was able to bounce a shot past UCLA goalie Chay Lapin with little more than six minutes left in the contest. Both teams had scoring opportunities in the final minutes, but could not capitalize. The Bruin's top scorer, sophomore Krsto Sbutega, had the best look when his shot from seven meters out ricochet off the crossbar with 1:20 left in the match.

Mann and fellow senior Marty Matthies led Cal with two goals apiece. Juniors Adam Haley, Kevin Platshon, Sharf and Zac Monsees also tallied goals for the Bears. Sophomore Frank Reynolds paced Cal with three assists, and Mann senior Brian Kinsell forced three ejections and two ejections, respectively. It was the Bears' second victory over the Bruins this season, topping UCLA, 8-6, in the semifinals of the SoCal Open, Oct. 15 at USC.

Cal will next host UC Santa Cruz at 10 a.m. and No. 17 Santa Clara at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5 at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

UCLA 1-2-4-0--7 (10-5/1-2)
Cal  2-3-2-1--8 (22-3/5-1)

UCLA GOALS: Michael March (2), Krsto Sbutoga,
Kevin Kuga, Tyler Krikorian, Matthew Jacobs,
Justin Johnson
Cal GOALS: John Mann (2), Marty Matthies (2),
Adam Haley, Zac Monsees, Kevin Platshon,
Michael Sharf
GOALIE SAVES: Chay Lapin (UCLA) 7;
Mark Sheredy (Cal) 9