California
St. Francis (NY)
10/11/2008 12:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
The No. 5 ranked Cal men's water polo team (8-3), behind three goals from junior All-American Spencer Warden and freshman Ivan Rackov, defeated No. 14 St. Francis (7-4), 11-5, in opening action of the SoCal Open, Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Raleigh Runnels Aquatic Center in Malibu.
The Bears jumped out to a 4-0 lead. St. Francis responded with two quick goals in the second period but Ian Rackov ended the run with a goal at the 5:02 mark in the second quarter to extend Cal's lead to 5-2. The Bears led 6-3 at the half. Spencer Warden scored two goals in the third quarter as Cal outscored the St. Francis 3-1. The Bears added two more goals in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 11-4, before the St. Francis scored the last goal.
Against the Terriers, Cal was also paced by sophomore goalie Jacob McIntosh, who shut St. Francis out in the first period and helped Cal limit St. Francis to one goal in each of the final two periods. Redshirt freshman Charlie Steffens scored two goals while sophomore Zach White, senior Trent Calder and junior Scott Cruikshank added one goal each.
Cal will next play No. 4-ranked Pepperdine at 5:20 p.m. Saturday. The Wave, a 14-2 victor over No. 16 Redlands in the other morning match, defeated the Bears, 7-5, in an MPSF match September 27th in Malibu.
CALIFORNIA 11, St. Francis (NY) 5No. 14 St. Francis 0 3 1 1 - 5 No. 5 California 3 3 3 2 - 11
California Goals: Spencer Warden 3, Ivan Rackov 3, Charlie Steffens 2, Zach White, Trent Calder, Scott Cruikshank
California Saves: Jacob McIntosh 16
California Assists: 2 - Reynolds 1 - Saponjic, Rackov, Sample, Steffens, McIntosh
California Steals: 3 - Warden 2 - Nasoff 1 - Sample, Dudley, Rodman, Reynolds, Steffens, McIntosh
California Ejections Earned 2 - Rackov, White, Pearson 1 - Saponjic, Orloff, Sample, Dudley, Reynolds, Warden, Roach, Stampfl
California Field Blocks 1 - Reynolds, Warden, Steffens
California Sprints Won 2 - Rackov
