Nov. 26, 2010
STANFORD, CALIF. -
2010 MPSF Tournament Page
Led by four goals apiece from junior Ivan Rackov and senior Zach White, the No. 1-ranked Cal men's water polo team advanced to the semifinals of the 2010 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament with a 13-5 victory over Pepperdine Friday, Nov. 26 at Stanford's Avery Aquatic Center. The Golden Bears, who have won 14 consecutive matches, improved to 22-2 and will now play host Stanford on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Cardinal had defeated UC Irvine, 8-7, in another first round match.
It was the third time Cal had defeated Pepperdine (9-16) this season. The Bears finished the MPSF conference schedule, 8-0, this year, the first time they had concluded the regular season undefeated in league play since going 31-0 in 1992.
Despite trailing 3-2 to the Waves at one point in the opening period, the Cal ran off an11-2 run the rest of the way to cruise into Saturday's semifinal. Besides Rackov and White's four goals, senior captain Brian Dudley and junior Luka Saponjic had two goals apiece and junior Cory Nasoff added a goal. Sophomore goalie Justin Parsons finished with six saves in three quarters and junior goalie Wil Toppen notched four saves in the fourth period.
Rackov leads the MPSF with 69 goals in 23 matches, while White is second on the Bears with 51 goals in 23 matches. Saponjic is third on the team with 44 goals.
If Cal captures Saturday's semifinal, it would play in the conference championship match on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 3 p.m.
Cal's Spieker Aquatics Complex will be the host site of the 2010 NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship, Dec. 4-5, as well. Tickets and information on the NCAA tournament are available through the following links, Click here for 2010 NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship tickets, 2010 NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship page. Cal will also host the NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship in 2011.
Pepperdine - 3 1 0 1 = 5
California - 4 4 5 0 = 13
Pepperdine Goal Scorers - Loomis 2, Castillo, Perry, Schrimpf
California Goal Scorers - Ivan Rackov 4, Zach White 4,
Brian Dudley 2, Luka Saponjic 2, Cory Nasoff
Goalie Saves: - Valics 7 (P); Justin Parsons 6 (C), Wil Toppen 4 (C)
