November 29, 1998
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - The fifth-ranked California men's water polo team defeated third-ranked UCLA, 7-6, in overtime to place fifth at the MPSF Tournament. The Bears finish the season with an overall record of 13-11 (4-4 in MPSF), while the Bruins fall to 17-6 (6-2 in MPSF).
UCLA's Adam Wright broke a 2-2 deadlock with 1:19 to play in the first quarter to give the Bruins a 3-2 edge after one period. After a scoreless second quarter, UCLA was still leading 3-2 going into halftime. But Cal came out strong in the third period, converting on two man-up opportunities to take a 4-3 lead heading into the final quarter. The Bears widened their lead to 5-3 when Ryan Flynn scored with 3:55 leftin the period. But, UCLA answered back with a goal of their own and then tied the game, 5-5, with 34 seconds to play when Wright scored on a man-up situation to send the game to overtime.
Cal took the early lead in the first of two regulation three-minute overtime periods, when Jerry Smith converted a penalty shot 32 seconds into the first overtime to give the Bears a 6-5 edge. UCLA answered back in the second OT period to tie the game at 6-6, getting a goal from Sean Kern on the man-up situation with 2:32 left to play. But Smith converted on another penalty shot with 1:08 left to give Cal a 7-6 lead and the Bears held on for the victory.
Smith, Flynn and junior Albert Won each had two goals to lead the Bears, while perennial All-Americans Wright and Kern paced the Bruins with two goals apiece. Cal goalie Peter Kiefer had 12 saves in the victory.
The Bears finish fifth in the MPSF Tournament after losing to Stanford in the first round on Friday, 10-5, before defeating Long Beach State 9-7 in the consolation semifinals on Saturday.
Fifth-Place Game (Sun. Nov. 29)
California 2 0 2 1 1 1 -- 7
UCLA 3 0 0 2 0 1 -- 6
Cal: Smith 2, Flynn 2, Won 2, West.
UCLA: Wright 2, Kern 2, Hueston , Harris.
Saves: Kiefer (Cal) 12, Bonderson (UCLA) 12.
Records: California 13-11, UCLA 17-6
