Sept. 4, 2010
BERKELEY, Calif. - Juniors Luka Saponjic, Ivan Rackoff and Jack Stampfl each scored two goals to lead top-ranked California to a 14-4 win over No. 17 UC Davis in non-conference men's water polo action at Spieker Aquatic Center Saturday morning.
The Aggies open their 2010 season at 0-1. The Golden Bears kick off the year at 1-0.
Junior Aaron Salit posted two goals for UC Davis, both in the second half. Seniors Matt Richardson and Cory Lyle also scored for the Aggies, while junior goalkeeper Kevin Peat stopped nine shots in front of the UC Davis cage. Senior Carlos Martinez picked up three steals on the defensive end.
The Aggies opened strong in the game, as Peat denied a 6-on-5 attempt in the opening minutes, then Lyle drew a five-meter penalty the other way on the ensuing possession. Lyle converted the attempt to give the Aggies a 1-0 lead. Peat tallied five saves in the first period, including one more on a Golden Bear advantage situation.
However, Cal responded quickly, getting two goals from outside by junior attacker Luka Saponjic. Cal freshman Max Bergson completed a 6-on-5 opportunity to lift the Golden Bears to a 4-1 lead through one quarter. Cal tacked on three more goals early in the second period to extend the lead to six before Richardson ended the Aggies' 10-minute scoring drought. Lyle swung the ball to sophomore Hank Dickey up top, who promptly fed the left Richardson by Cal's right post.
The Bears massaged their lead to 11-2 in the third period, then made it 12-2 as Zach Greenwood converted an assist from Max Bergeson in the opening minute of the fourth. Cal reserve Giacomo Cupido's counterattack goal gave the host its largest lead at the 5:52 mark, then Salit managed back-to-back goals from two meters to bring the Aggies back under 10. However, Bear sophomore Marin Balorin won inside water at two meters in front of the UC Davis cage, planting the game's final goal.
Both teams featured local Davis interest. The Bears' Stampfl is a 2007 alumnus of Davis Senior High, while the Aggies' Hank Dickey graduated in 2008 and center Teddy Nicholson finished up in 2010.
UC Davis continues road action at Fresno Pacific on Friday before taking on five members of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at the Inland Empire Classic on September 11-12.
| #17 UC Davis (0-1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | - | 4 |
| #1 California (1-0) | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | - | 14 |
GOALS - UC Davis: Aaron Salit 2, Cory Lyle 1, Matt Richardson 1. Cal: Luka Saponjic 2, Ivan Rackov 2, Jack Stampfl 2, Cory Nasoff 1, Zach White 1, Brian Dudley 1, Matt Golden 1, Perry Short 1, Marin Balorin 1, Zach Greenwood 1, Giacomo Cupido 1.
GOALIE SAVES - UC Davis: Kevin Peat 9 (32:00). Cal: Justin Parsons 3 (16:00), Wil Toppen 1 (16:00).
