Sept. 2, 2006

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Despite battling extreme weather and power outages, the No. 1-ranked California men's water polo team captured its first three matches of the Navy Open, first defeating No. 11-ranked St. Francis, 17-9; John Hopkins, 15-4; and MIT, 21-2; Saturday at LeJeune Hall Pool at the Navel Academy campus. There was an over three hour delay after Cal topped St. Francis, a team that competed in last year's four-team NCAA Tournament. Against St. Francis, the top-ranked Golden Bears were led by senior John Mann's five goals and three goals from senior Brian Bacharach.

Other highlights for Cal in its first game against St. Francis were two goals apiece from senior Brian Kinsel, senior Marty Matthies, junior Michael Sharf and redshirt freshman Spencer Warden; and a goal from junior Zac Monsees. Sophomore goalie Marc Vacquier recorded eight saves, five steals and two assists. Senior Andrija Vasiljevic paced the Bears with three assists, and Warden, Kinsel, Monsees, and junior Jeff Tyrrell, had two assists apiece. Kinsel and junior Mike Hayes each forced three kick-outs.

In the John Hopkins victory, Cal was led by three goals apiece from sophomore Trent Calder and Tyrrell. Warden had a team-high four steals and Monsees added a team-high four assists. Junior goalie Mark Sheredy notched eight saves.

Against MIT, Cal had 13 different players score, led by redshirt freshman Grant Mitchell's four goals and three goals by Bacharach. The Bears scored on 21 of 27 shots on goal, and sophomore goalie Matt Hillard had eight saves and an assist. Redshirt freshman Scott Cruikshank added four steals, and Mitchell and Cruikshank led Cal with three assists apiece.

Cal next plays Bucknell at 8 a.m., before taking on host Navy at 12 p.m. Sunday to conclude the Navy Open.

California 3 6 2 6 - 17
St. Francis 2 1 3 3 - 9
CAL GOALS: Mann 5, Bacharach 3, Kinsel 2,
Sharf 2, Warden 2, Matthies 2, Monsees
GOALIE SAVES: Vacquier (Cal) 8
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California  - 15
John Hopkins - 4
CAL GOALS: Calder 3, Tyrrell 3, Mann 2,
Bacharach 2,Kinsel, Hayes, Platshon,
Matthies, Monsees
GOALIE SAVES: Sheredy (Cal) 8
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California  - 21
MIT - 2
CAL GOALS: Mitchell 4, Bacharach 3, Mann 2,
Hayes 2, Calder 2, Jones, Kinsel, Sharf,
Platshon, Matthies, Sample, Waldthaler, Nesbit
GOALIE SAVES: Hillard (Cal) 8