BERKELEY – The No. 2 California men's water polo team (11-1) clinched its 11th win of the season, matching last season's win total, after defeating No. 11 Pepperdine (8-5), 14-12, in a back-and-forth contest at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
The Golden Bears were led by
Albert Ponferrada after recording a season-high four goals, along with three assists and one field block.
Chase Wilson, a transfer from Pepperdine, scored two goals against his former club while garnering two earned exclusions.
How it happened:
No. 2 Cal – 14 | No. 11 Pepperdine – 12
- Kai Inoue scored the first goal of the contest with six minutes remaining in the first.
- Cal collected five steals and three field blocks in the opening frame.
- Patrik Kolak and Chase Wilson helped Cal gain a 3-2 lead through the first.
- After trailing 3-5, the Waves scored three unanswered goals to take the lead at the half.
- Albert Ponferrada and Alex Oprea each added a goal for the Bears in the second period.
- Albert Ponferrada scored three of Cal's five goals in the third.
- Beso Akhvlediani and Dominic Brown both found the back of the net in the third period.
- The third period saw a total of eight scored goals.
- Cal held a 10-9 advantage after 24 minutes of action.
- The Bears outscored the Waves 4-3 in the fourth period.
- Nik Mirkovic, Maddox Arlett, Chase Wilson and Bende Pardi provided a goal in the fourth.
- Cal converted 46 percent (6-for-13) of its power play opportunities.
- The Bears tallied 12 steals and 15 field blocks through 32 minutes of action.
- Cal recorded 13 assists in the game.
- Albert Ponferrada recorded a game-high plus/minus of +7.5.
NEXT UP
Cal will begin conference play against the reigning national champion, UCLA, next Saturday at Spieker Aquatic Complex. 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).