Oct. 2, 2010

LOS ANGELES, CALIF - Led by junior Ivan Rackov's five goals, the No. 3-ranked California men's water polo team (8-1) captured its first match of the SoCal Invitational, defeating No. 14 Santa Clara, 15-8, in a morning contest Saturday (Oct. 2) at UCLA's Spieker Aquatics Center. Rackov is the early tournament scoring leader with his five scores to lead the Golden Bears, while Cal sophomore goalkeeper Justin Parsons recorded eight stops in the cage.

Rackov has now tallied 23 goals in eight matches this season.

Other top scorers for Cal were junior Cory Nasoff with three goals, and junior Zach Greenwood with two goals. Senior Zach White and freshmen Collin Smith, Perry Short, Max Bergeson and Hunter Gettelfinger also notched scores for the Bears.

Santa Clara (7-7) was led by junior Marcus Akerland who scored two goals for the Broncos. Junior goalie Michael Wishart had nine saves for Santa Clara.

The Bears next play UC Irvine at 5:50 p.m. at UCLA's Spieker Aquatics Center. The Anteaters were a 12-7 victor over St. Francis in another morning match.

California 15, Santa Clara 8

No. 14 Santa Clara 3 0 2 3 - 8

No. 3 California 3 5 3 4 - 15

Santa Clara Goals: Marcus Akerland 2, Mitch Klipa, Theo Nasser, James Case, Tucker Carlson, Nick Poggetti, David Guibord

Santa Clara Saves: Michael Wishart 9, John Nash 2

California Goals: Ivan Rackov 5, Cory Nasoff 3, Zach Greenwood 2, Zach White, Collin Smith, Perry Short, Max Bergeson, Hunter Gettelfinger

California Saves: Justin Parsons 8