Bears Suffer Defeat To Top-Ranked Trojans
Dylan Fujita
Cal held scoreless in fourth period
9
California (M) CAL (14-4)
12
Winner USC (M) USC (16-2)
California (M) CAL
(14-4)
9
Final
12
USC (M) USC
(16-2)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 OT OT SD SD SD SD SD F
California (M) CAL 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
USC (M) USC 3 4 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12

Game Recap: Men's Water Polo | | Cal Athletics

Bears Suffer Defeat To Top-Ranked Trojans

Cal Held Scoreless In Fourth Period

LOS ANGELES – The No. 4 California men's water polo team (14-4) dropped a road contest to No. 1 USC (16-2), 12-9, on Saturday at Uytengsu Aquatics Center in Los Angeles.
 
The Golden Bears fell to the Trojans for the first time during the 2025 campaign after winning the previous two matchups earlier this season. In a game that saw five lead changes, USC scored four unanswered goals in the fourth period after trailing 8-9, holding Cal scoreless in the frame, to secure the win.
 
Albert Ponferrada and Beso Akhvlediani led the way for the Bears with two goals apiece. Ponferrada added one assist, one field block and one earned exclusion on the day.
 
How it happened:
 
No. 4 Cal – 9 | No. 1 USC – 12
  • The Trojans struck first within the opening 30 seconds of the game.
  • The Bears scored two goals in the final 1:05 of the first period.
  • Beso Akhvlediani was the first Bear to score a goal, assisted by Patrik Kolak.
  • Marci Szatmary scored on a penalty attempt in the final second of the opening period.
  • Albert Ponferrada scored two goals in the second.
  • Dominic Brown and Brennan Fuchslin both provided a goal in the second period.        
  • Cal took its first lead of the game with 46 seconds left in the first half.
  • Aran Pina collected six saves in the first half.
  • Akhvlediani scored his second goal of the day to even the score at 7-7 early in the third.
  • William Kelly scored his first goal of the day at the 5:10 mark in the third period.
  • Kai Inoue gave the Bears a 9-8 lead with 3:46 remaining in the third.   
  • USC scored four unanswered goals in the fourth period.
  • Cal was held scoreless in the fourth period.
  • The Bears were held to a 28 percent (9-for-32) shooting percentage.
  • Nik Mirkovic had a team-high two assists.
  • Brennan Fuchslin posted a team-high two steals.
  • USC held the advantage in shooting percentage, field blocks and steals.
 
NEXT UP
Cal will remain in Southern California to take on No. 2 UCLA on Sunday. Coverage will be available on Overnght, starting at 1 p.m. PT.
 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal men's water polo, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWaterPolo) and Instagram (@calmwaterpolo).
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