BERKELEY – Playing in front of the home crowd at Spieker Aquatics Complex for the first time this season on the opening day of the Overnght MPSF Invitational, the No. 6 California men's water polo team took care of business, downing No. 15 UC San Diego 14-11.

The Golden Bears (6-1) never trailed, thanks in large part to a big day from senior Max Casabella who finished with four goals and four assists. He became the first Bear this season to reach 20 goals, ending the day with a team-high 22 through seven games.

Redshirt junior Bende Pardi added three goals and two helpers in his first game as a Bear at Spieker Aquatics Complex. Junior Nik Mirkovic notched his first hat trick of the season to go with four steals.

Pardi and Mirkovic got Cal out to a fast start with back-to-back goals on the Bears' first two possessions of the game. Pardi converted his second 6-on-5 of the opening period to make it 4-2 later in the quarter. 

The Tritons (5-4) fought back to tie it 5-5 late in the half, but Cal's veterans put the Bears ahead for good with three consecutive goals in rapid succession. Senior Jake Howerton struck first at the 2:12 mark of the second and Casabella scored his first two of the day from the left side to give Cal an 8-5 advantage with nine seconds to go before halftime.

UCSD hung around into the fourth quarter, but Casabella helped put it away with another strong series of plays. Following a George Avakian power-play goal to put Cal up 12-9, Casabella out-swam two Tritons to a loose ball, drawing an exclusion as he started a breakaway. He found Pardi at the end of the counterattack for an easy strike to give the Bears their first four-goal lead of the day, 13-9. Two minutes later, Casabella put things on ice with his fourth goal of the day from the penalty spot.

Avakian was active on the inside throughout the game, drawing a game-high five exclusions. Cal finished 7-for-15 on power plays.

The Bears continue the Overnght MPSF Invitational on Saturday against No. 7 Princeton at 10 a.m. PT and No. 1 UCLA at 3 p.m. Both games will be at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

No. 6 California 14, No. 15 UC San Diego 11
Cal 4 4 3 3 – 14
UCSD 3 3 3 2 – 11
Cal Goals: Casabella 4, Mirkovic 3, Pardi 3, Howerton 2, Arlett, Avakian
UCSD Goals: Akerstrom 5, Hennessey, Buzov, Romaguera, Rago, Axline, Laurlund
Cal Saves: Riley Clansen 3
UCSD Saves: Logan Estes 7

Nik Mirkovic with his 3rd goal of the day! Bears lead 11-9 heading into the fourth.@OvernghtMedia

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— Cal Water Polo (@CalWaterPolo) September 20, 2024

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