Sept. 6, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, MD - The No. 1-ranked California men's water polo team opened the 2008 season with a 13-4 victory over host Navy and an 18-6 victory over Bucknell in the Golden Bears' first day of the Navy Open in Annapolis, Md. Cal defeated Bucknell in Saturday's morning match and defeated the No. 10-ranked Midshipmen in the evening contest. The Bears will next play No. 12-ranked St. Francis at 9:50 a.m. eastern time and Johns Hopkins at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7.

"It was good to get the season going," said Cal head coach Kirk Everist, whose Bears are now 17-0 in five seasons playing at the Navy Open. "This group has worked very hard in the off season and it's great to see them get to go for it. The defense was solid and to have 11 different players score today is a good sign."

Versus Navy, a squad Cal defeated 8-5 in last year's NCAA semifinal, the Bears were paced by senior Frank Reynolds, senior Trent Calder, junior Spencer Warden, sophomore Zachary White and redshirt freshman Zachary Greenwood with two goals apiece. Other statistical leaders for the Bears against Navy included junior Mike Sample with three assists, redshirt freshman Charlie Steffens with four steals and sophomore goalie Jacob McIntosh had an impressive 12 saves.

Against Bucknell, eleven different players scored for Cal, including three goals apiece by Reynolds, junior Thomas Pearson and sophomore Brian Dudley. McIntosh finished with seven saves and two assists.

Cal versus Navy statistics
Goals: (13)
2 Frank Reynolds, Spencer Warden, Trent Calder, Zachary White, Zachary Greenwood
1 Scott Cruikshank, Charlie Steffens, Cory Nasoff

Assists: (11)
3 Mike Sample
2 Spencer Rodman, Cory Nasoff
1 Brian Dudley, Spencer Warden, Brian Roach, Sandy French

Steals (17)
4 Charlie Steffens
3 Cory Nasoff
2 Scott Cruikshank, Spencer Warden
1 Daniel Orloff, Brian Dudley, Spencer Rodman, Frank Reynolds, Jack Stampfl, Joe Ouadah

Ejections Earned (6)
3 Zachary Greenwood
1 Brian Roach, Zachary White, Frank Reynolds

Field Block (3)
2 Spencer Rodman
1 Zachary White

Goalie
Jacob McIntosh (4 qtrs)
Saves 12
Steals 1

Cal versus Bucknell statistics

Goals (18)
3 Thomas Pearson, Frank Reynolds, Brian Dudley
2 Spencer Warden
1 Mike Sample, Cory Nasoff, Trent Calder, Zachary White, Charlie Steffens, Zachary Greenwood, Sandy French

Assists (16)
3 Charlie Steffens, Mike Sample
2 Scott Cruikshank, Spencer Warden, Trent Calder, Frank Reynolds
1 Thomas Pearson, Brian Dudley

Steals (14)
3 Charlie Steffens
2 Spencer Warden, Sandy French
1 Scott Cruikshank, Mike Sample, Brian Dudley, Spencer Rodman, Frank Reynolds,
Thomas Pearson, Brian Roach

Ejections Earned (9)
4 Thomas Pearson
2 Brian Dudley, Cory Nasoff
1 Spencer Warden

Field Block
1 Frank Reynolds

6on5
4 for 8 (1 for 1 penalty shots)

5man
2 for 4 (2 for 3 penalty shots)

Goalie
Jacob McIntosh (4 qtrs)
Saves - 7
Asst - 2