Oct. 23, 2011

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Senior Aaron Salit and junior Russell Hampton each totaled five goals in two games as 12th-ranked UC Davis picked up a pair of wins at The Rodeo men's collegiate water polo tournament at Santa Clara's Sullivan Aquatic Center Sunday. The Aggies defeated Western Water Polo Association foe Air Force by a 15-8 final in their morning contest, then shut down Brown in a 11-2 decision during the evening session.

UC Davis improves to 20-7 overall and 11-2 in conference play. Furthermore, this marks the first time since the 2007 season that the Aggies have hit the 20-win plateau. That squad went 22-7 with a perfect 14-0 WWPA ledger.

Salit, Hampton and junior Colin Hicks each performed hat tricks in the early win over the Falcons. Hicks scored two within the first 97 seconds of play, then netted a third in the closing minute of the first period to launch the Aggies to a 5-2 lead. UC Davis converted two 6-on-5 chances and scored on a five-meter penalty to stretch its advantage to 8-3 before two Cruz Smithson helped Air Force cut the gap to 8-5 by the break.

However, Salit rattled off two natural goals in the first two minutes after halftime, igniting a run of four answered in the third quarter. Hampton made it 13-7 when he completed his counterattack in the waning seconds of the frame. Hank Dickey and Luke Collins tacked on goals in the fourth to complete the win. Senior goalkeeper Kevin Peat tallied 10 saves in the cage.

In Sunday's nightcap, Collins and Hampton were the only players with multi-goal performances as UC Davis broke away from a two-goal halftime margin. After surrendering the game's opening goal to Bear freshman Henry Fox, the Aggies scored four straight to craft a 4-1 lead through the first period. Then in a more defense-oriented second, UC Davis managed to hold off two Brown extra-man opportunities in holding a 4-2 edge at the break.

The Aggies recovered from their scoreless second with a seven-goal, shutout second half. Collins had both of his goals after the intermission, including one of three UC Davis and one of three 6-on-5 conversions.

Both Sunday opponents figure in the coaches' national Top 20 poll: Air Force is tied for 18th with Cal Baptist while Brown is one of three schools to pick up a vote toward the rankings.

UC Davis returns to the road for perhaps its most important weekend, taking on WWPA powers UC San Diego and Loyola Marymount on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

GOALS - AFA: Cruz Smithson 4, Garrett Womack 2, Petar Jakovich 1, Dillon Fisher 1. UC Davis: Colin Hicks 3, Aaron Salit 3, Russell Hampton 3, Luke Collins 2, Hank Dickey 2, Richardson 1, Rogers 1.

GOALIE SAVES - AFA: not available. UC Davis: Kevin Peat 10 (32:00).

GOALS - Brown: Henry Fox 1, Nick Deaver 1. UC Davis: Aaron Salit 2, Luke Collins 2, Russell Hampton 2, Walter Eggert 1, Ryan Hagens 1, Chris Richardson 1, Colin Hicks 1, Trevor Allen 1.

GOALIE SAVES - BU: not available. UC Davis: Kevin Peat 19 (32:00).