Oct. 22, 2011

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Sophomore attacker Bernie Rogers scored three of the Aggies' six fourth-quarter goals, helping No. 12 UC Davis erase a three-goal deficit in capturing a 12-11 victory over 17th-ranked Bucknell to finish the first day of the Rodeo collegiate men's water polo tournament at Santa Clara Saturday.

The Aggies, who soundly defeated Harvard by a 20-2 earlier in the day, improve to 18-7 for the year, snapping a three-game losing streak.

Rogers and redshirt freshman Chris Richardson each converted hat tricks in the nightcap win, all of which came after UC Davis trailed 5-3 at halftime. Junior Russell Hampton also had a goal in each of the first and fourth quarters.

The Aggies fell into a 3-1 hole early in the contest before Hampton and Colin Hicks scored in succession to even the action at 3-3. But senior Spencer Richley scored two goals in the second quarter to provide the Bison with a two-goal edge. The Aggies twice cut the lead to one in the third but was unable to equalize. Bucknell's Daniel Schwartz and Trevor Reitz each netted a goal in the final minute of the third to send their team to an 8-5 advantage with eight minutes remaining.

The Bison led by at least two goals for most of the final frame before Richardson hit his second goal at the 3:12 mark to bring the tally to 10-9, then Rogers converted a 6-on-5 chance to tie the contest at 10-all. Rogers and Hampton scored at 1:31 and 0:37, respectively, giving UC Davis a 12-10 edge. Bucknell managed its 11th goal immediately on the next possession, but the Aggies held on for the final half-minute.

In the earlier game, senior Aaron Salit scored two goals in each of the first and third periods while Hicks spread four across the first 24 minutes of play, helping UC Davis hit the 20-goal mark for the second time this season. Three other Aggies -- Hampton, Hank Dickey and Matt Vowell -- also provided two goals in the win.

UC Davis led 6-1 after the first period, 10-2 at the halftime break, then scored seven unanswered in its dominating win over the Crimson.

The Aggies conclude action at the Rodeo tournament on Sunday, facing 18th-ranked Western Water Polo Association foe Air Force in the morning, then finishing with Brown for the evening matchup.

THE RODEO MEN'S WATER POLO TOURNAMENT, DAY ONE
Sullivan Aquatic Center, Santa Clara University

GOALS - Harvard: Kevin DiSilvestro 1, Evan Ramsey 1. UC Davis: Aaron Salit 4, Colin Hicks 4, Russell Hampton 2, Hank Dickey 2, Matt Vowell 2, Kevin Meisel 1, Chris Richardson 1, Michael Millstein 1, Anders MacCarthy 1, Luke Collins 1, Trevor Allen 1.

GOALS - Bucknell: Julian Colina 4, Spencer Richey 3, Mike Kimble 1, Daniel Schwartz 1, Trevor Reitz 1, Jack Else 1. UC Davis: Chris Richardson 3, Bernie Rogers 3, Russell Hampton 2, Colin Hicks 1, Walter Eggert 1, Aaron Salit 1, Ryan Hagens 1.