Sept. 23, 2006
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -
The No. 2-ranked California men's water polo team (12-1) won its first two matches of the Air Force Open Saturday, defeating No. 17 Air Force, 10-4, in the 11 a.m. match, and No. 8 UC Davis, 19-9, in the 4 p.m. contest at the Air Force Water Polo Pool in Colorado Springs. In the win over the Falcons, the Golden Bears were led by two goals apiece from John Mann, Michael Sharf, Marty Matthies and Andrija Vasiljevic. Junior goalie Mark Sheredy was also impressive against Air Force, recording a season-high 10 saves with a steal.
In the victory over the Aggies, Cal was paced by Sharf's four goals, and two goals apiece from Mann, Adam Haley, Kevin Platshon and Frank Reynolds.
The Bears had to overcome a 3-1 first period deficit to defeat the Falcons. After trailing 3-1 after the first eight minutes, Cal was able to shutout Air Force in the second quarter to tie the match, 3-3, at the half. The Bears then controlled the contest by outscoring the Falcons, 7-1, in the second half for the 10-4 win. Other top performers for Cal in the morning match were Vasiljevic and freshman Spencer Warden with four steals apiece. Vasiljevic also had a team-high six assists and Warden had two ejections earned.
In the UC Davis match, the Bears scored on 19 of 25 shots, jumping out to a 7-1 lead after the first period. Vasiljevic again paced Cal in steals with three, while Platshon had a team-best three assists and senior Brian Kinsel forced two ejections.
The Bears will play Air Force again on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. MDT to conclude the Air Force Open.
Cal 1 2 5 2 10
AF 3 0 1 0 4
Cal Scorers: Mann 2, Vasiljevic 2, Matthies 2,
Sharf 2, Kinsel, Bacharach
AF Scorers: Kimmich, Berry, Schafer, Pickell
Saves: Sheredy (Cal) 10
Cal 7 4 4 4 19
UCD 1 1 1 6 9
Cal Scoring: Sharf 4, Haley 2, Platshon 2,
Reynolds 2, Mann 2, Hayes,Monsees, Kinsel,
Bacharach, Warden, Sample, Calder
UC Davis Scoring: Long 3, Kurth 2, Bacharach,
MacLachlan, Lindsay, Welch
Saves: Sheredy (Cal) 2; Vacquier (Cal) 2
