MPOLO12/1/2023 6:39 PM | By: Cal Athletics
No. 2 Bears Lock Fordham Down
Cal Reaches NCAA Semis For Fourth Straight Year
LOS ANGELES – The No. 2 California men's water polo team took care of business Friday at Uytengsu Aquatics Center, defeating Fordham 16-6 to advance to the NCAA Semifinals for the fourth straight year.
The Golden Bears (22-5) allowed their fewest goals against a ranked opponent this season, led defensively by goalkeeper Adrian Weinberg who registered 14 saves and an assist. Junior Wyatt Mundelius had a career night on both ends, finishing with game highs of five goals and four steals to go with a field block.
After taking a 5-4 lead behind two first-quarter goals by Nikolaos Papanikolaou, Cal locked Fordham down the rest of the way. The Rams (24-8) were shut out in the second quarter and were held to two goals over the final 26 minutes.
The Bears embarked on a 7-0 run, capped by Papanikolaou's fourth score of the day with 1:35 to go in the third quarter. About a minute later, Mundelius sealed a third-quarter hat trick.
All five of Mundelius' goals came in the second half. After William Kelly scored his second of the day early in the fourth, Mundelius put things to bed with two more goals in the closing minutes.
Papanikolaou finished with six drawn exclusions while reaching the four-goal mark for the third time this season.
With two more wins this weekend, Cal can become the first team to win three straight championships three different times. The Bears will face a familiar foe in Saturday's semifinal round as they take on No. 3 seed and NCAA Championship host USC.
Cal is 2-1 against the Trojans (16-6) this year and has won six of the last seven meetings dating back to 2021 – a stretch which includes 13-12 victories by the Bears in both the 2021 and 2022 NCAA title games. The game is set for a 4 p.m. PT start and will be streamed at ncaa.com. Live stats will be provided here.
No. 2 California 16, No. 12 Fordham 6
Cal 5 4 4 3 – 16
Ford 4 0 1 1 – 6
Cal Goals: Wyatt Mundelius 5, Nikolaos Papanikolaou 4, Marci Szatmary 2, George Avakian 2, William Kelly 2, Albert Ponferrada
Ford Goals: Barnabus Eppel 2, Lucas Nieto Jasny 2, Jagger McMannis, Jacopo Parrella
Cal Saves: Adrian Weinberg 14
OPP Saves: Thomas Lercari 3
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For further coverage of Cal men's water polo, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWaterPolo) and Instagram (@calmwaterpolo).
