Sept. 10, 2009
BERKELEY, Calif. - Four different Golden Bear players scored two goals each to help third-ranked California protect a 6-0 start in a 12-4 win over No. 17 UC Davis in season-opening men's collegiate water polo action at the Spieker Aquatics Center Thursday.
The Aggies open the year at 0-1. The 13-time NCAA champion Golden Bears improve to 4-0 overall.
UC Davis freshman Colin Hicks scored a hat trick in his collegiate debut, converting shots in each of the second, third and fourth quarters. Hicks broke the seal on the Cal cage when he hit his five-meter penalty attempt with 1:20 remaining in the first half. Another freshman, Anders MacCarthy, accounted for the balance of the Aggie offense with his goal in the final minutes of the third period.
For Cal, attackers Mike Sample and Charlie Steffens each had two first-half goals to ignite their team's 6-0 start. Cory Nasoff and Ivan Rackov also turned in two-goal performances for the Golden Bears, who scored four unanswered after the halftime break to pad their lead to 10-1.
Sophomore Kevin Peat posted seven saves in front of the Aggie cage, while Cal junior Jacob McIntosh and freshman Justin Parsons had save totals of four and two, respectively.
UC Davis returns to action on Saturday for the two-day Empire Classic, hosted jointly by La Verne and Redlands. The Aggies face La Verne at 9 a.m. to kick off the tournament.
| #17 UC Davis (0-1) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | - | 4 |
| #3 California (4-0) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | - | 12 |
GOALS - UC Davis: Colin Hicks 3, Anders McCarthy 1. California: Mike Sample 2, Charlie Steffens 2, Cory Nasoff 2, Ivan Rackov 2, Zach Greenwood 1, Mason Cox 1, Zach White 1, Spencer Warden 1.
GOALIE SAVES - UC Davis: Kevin Peat 7 (32:00). California: Jacob McIntosh 4 (16:00), Justin Parsons 2 (16:00).
