Sept. 24, 2005
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The men's water polo team rebounded from a 14-9 loss to Long Beach State by defeating Western Water Polo Association opponent Whittier, 16-7 on the first day of UC Santa Cruz's Slugfest.
Long Beach took the early lead in the first game of the day scoring five goals to the Aggies's one. The 49er offense outscored the Aggies in the first three quarters, but UC Davis recovered and only allowed a single Long Beach goal in the fourth. Unfortuantely, it proved to be too little too late as the Ags faced a 14-9 loss.
Patrick Jacobson and Adam Bennett led UC Davis scoring two goals each.
The Aggies faced-off with WWPA foe Whittier in the second game of the day. Whittier came out strong matching the Ags goal-for-goal in the first quarter tying the game at 4-4 as the buzzer sounded at the end of the first quarter. UC Davis was able to gain a two-point lead in the second and hold Whittier scoreless in the third. The Aggie offense sealed the win in the fourth with a five-goal quarter.
Jacobson and Conor Duignan led the way against Whittier scoring four goals apiece. David Welch also contributed two goals in the win.
"In terms of the Long Beach game, I think the loss has a lot to do with the guy's mentality. They get gun-shy with higher ranked teams," said head coach Steve Doten. "Defense has been the biggest problem along with confidence. I am happy about how the guy's rebounded against Whittier."
The Aggies continue play at the Slugfest on Sunday with a game against Cal Lutheran at 8 a.m. and a game against Redlands at 11:15 a.m.
Game One 1 2 3 4 FinalUC Davis 1 3 1 4 9Long Beach State 5 4 4 1 14
UC Davis Goals: Patrick Jacobson 2, Nick Arrigo 1,Conor Duignan 1, Tom Jay 1, Adam Bennett 2,David Welch 1, Trevor Long 1.
Game Two 1 2 3 4 FinalUC Davis 4 3 4 5 16Whittier 4 1 0 2 7
UC Davis Goals: Patrick Jacobson 4, Conor Duignan 4,Trevor Long 1, Nick Arrigo 1, David Welch 2, Jesse Tweed 1,Kevin Bacharach 1, Paul Wilson 1, Matt MacLachlan 1.
