Sept. 16, 2006
STANFORD, CALIF. -
The No. 1-ranked California men's water polo team improved its record to 9-0 after the first day of the NorCal Open, hosted at Stanford's Avery Aquatics Complex. The Golden Bears defeated UC Santa Cruz, 18-4, in a morning match, before topping No. 5-ranked UC San Diego, 12-8, in an evening contest. Cal will now take on No. 4-ranked Stanford in the semifinals at 11:10 a.m. Sunday at the Avery Aquatics Complex.
If the Bears are able to defeat the Cardinal, they will play the winner of the other semifinal contest between No. 2-ranked and defending national champion USC, and No. 3-ranked UCLA in the 5:50 p.m. championship match at Avery Aquatics Complex.
Against UC Santa Cruz, Cal was paced by three goals apiece from senior All-American John Mann and senior captain Brian Bacharach. Ten different Cal players scored at least one goal, and six scored at least two goals, to lead the Bears to the 18-4 victory over the Slugs. Sophomore goalie Marc Vaquier played the first half and collected four saves, while junior Mark Sheredy played the third and fourth quarters and gathered three saves. Sophomore Frank Reynolds added a team-high three assists, and junior Adam Haley and Bacharach each had three steals.
In the 12-8 victory over UC San Diego, senior Andrija Vasiljevic powered in four goals for Cal, and senior Brian Kinsel chipped in three goals. Transfer Reynolds added two goals and Mann, Haley and Mike Hayes also scored for the Bears against the Tritons. Vacquier had 10 saves and a steal, Bacharach had three steals and Bacharach and junior All-American Michael Sharf had two assists apiece.
California 3 4 1 4 = 12
UC San Diego 1 1 4 2 = 8
California Scorers: Vasiljevic 4,
Kinsel 3, Reynolds 2,
Mann 1, Haley 1, Hayes 1
UCSD Scorers: Kkoranjian 2, Lackey 2,
Lee 1, Dordoni 1,
Casellini 1
Goalie Saves: Vacquier (C) 10, Randall (UCSD) 5
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California 5 5 3 5 = 18
UC Santa Cruz 0 2 1 1 = 4
California Scorers: Bacharach 3,
Mann 3, Warden 2, Tyrrell 2, Vasiljevic 2,
Monsees 2, Kinsel 1,
Sharf 1, Matthies 1, Calder 1
UC Santa Cruz Scorers: Sause 2, Shubin 1, #20 1
Goalie Saves: Vacquier (C) 4, Sheredy (C) 3;
Lyons (UCSC) 2
