LOS ANGELES – The No. 3 California men's water polo team (10-1) fell in the championship game of the Overnght MPSF Invitational to No. 1 UCLA (14-0), the defending NCAA champions, 11-9 on Sunday at Spieker Aquatics Center in Los Angeles.
The Golden Bears suffered their first loss of the season after starting the season on a 10-game winning streak, which included six wins against ranked opponents. The Bears were held to their lowest scoring output of the season in the defensive battle against the Bruins.
How it happened:
No. 3 Cal – 9 | No. 1 UCLA – 11
- Cal opened the game with three straight goals.
- UCLA scored two goals in the final two minutes of the first period.
- Both teams scored two goals in the second frame.
- The Bears held a 5-4 advantage at the halfway point.
- The Bruins scored three consecutive goals in the third to take their first lead of the game.
- Cal missed seven shots in the third period.
- The Bears had five costly turnovers in the fourth.
- The Bruins outscored the Bears 3-2 in the final period.
- Aran Pina tallied a game-high four steals with four saves.
- Chase Wilson, Nik Mirkovic and Maddox Arlett scored two goals apiece.
- Six Bears scored at least one goal.
- The Bears forced 13 turnovers, including nine steals.
- Cal earned 12 exclusions in the game.
- Both teams executed on four power-play opportunities throughout the contest.
NEXT UP
Cal returns to Berkeley for a three-game homestand beginning on Saturday against Pepperdine at 1 p.m. PT.
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@CalWaterPolo) and Instagram (
@calmwaterpolo).
