STANFORD, Calif. - A long weekend of competition started on a good note for the No. 4-ranked Cal men's water polo team as the Bears built a 9-2 lead by halftime and eventually scored a 17-7 victory over Loyola Marymount on the first day of the MPSF Invitational hosted by Stanford.

Playing the first of four matches over a three-day stretch, Cal (13-1) took control early against the Lions. Senior Johnny Hooper scored twice in the first period, Spencer Farrar and Jordan Hoover added a goal apiece and the Bears took a 4-1 lead after eight minutes of play.

That advantage grew by halftime as Hooper and Hoover each added two more goals and Vassilis Tzavaras joined the scoring party to make it 9-2. The early offense, combined with a strong defensive effort, allowed the Bears to rotate through the roster in the second half and get several more names on the scoresheet. Tzavaras scored twice more in the second half while Tamir Avital, Farrar, Safak Simsek, Marko Valecic, Hoover and Jack Deely added one goal apiece to provide the final margin.

Bernardo Carelli drew the start in the cage for Cal and made nine saves before giving way to Spencer Tagg in the third period. Tagg stopped four shots and finished the match. 

Cal returns to Avery Aquatic Center on Saturday for a pair of matches beginning with a 9:20 a.m. against either UC Santa Barbara or Pomona-Pitzer. The Bears will play again at either 1:20 or 2:40 p.m.