Sept. 17, 2011

STOCKTON, Calif. - Senior Walter Eggert made his season debut with four goals in a 14-10 loss to No. 6 Pepperdine while redshirt freshman Chris Richardson matched that total in a 14-4 victory over Vanguard as 11th-ranked UC Davis split the first day of action at the NorCal Invitational men's water polo tournament at Delta College's June Fergusson Pool Saturday.

The Aggies move to 6-3 for the season.

Eggert was one of five UC Davis scorers in the morning match with the Waves. Redshirt freshman Trevor Allen and junior Colin Hicks each added two goals while Richardson and reigning Western Water Polo Association Co-Player of the Week Aaron Salit chipped in one.

All four of Eggert's goals against Pepperdine came before the break, with the third and fourth bringing the Aggies within a one-goal deficit. With a minute remaining before halftime, Richardson scored the equalizer at 7-7. However, the Waves broke loose with four unanswered: Andrew Milcovich's hit five-meter penalty in the final seconds of the first half and the opening minute of the second, Stephen Loomis' natural goal at 6:02 and Nathan Castillo's goal on a 6-on-5 chance midway through the third quarter.

Castillo finished with a game-high five goals for the Waves.

In Saturday's nightcap against the Lions, UC Davis overcame an early 2-1 deficit to take a 4-3 lead at the end of the first period. Senior Luke Collins hit the go-ahead on an extra-man opportunity with 2:01 left in the frame, starting a run of 11 straight that effectively lasted for the remainder of the contest. The Aggies led 7-3 at the half and 8-3 through three quarters, not allowing VU to score until just 38 ticks remaining in the game.

Besides Richardson's offense, Collins, Salit and Russell Hampton each scored two goals. Allen, Bernie Rogers, Kevin Meisel and Jared Clapham also netted a goal each for UC Davis in the fourth.

Aggie senior goalkeeper Kevin Peat finished the day with 15 saves, stopping eight shots against the four goals in the victory over the Lions.

UC Davis continues action on Sunday, facing the winner of the Air Force-Concordia game at noon. A victory in that game would allow the 10th-seeded Aggies a berth in the ninth-place contest.

NORCAL INVITATIONAL WATER POLO TOURNAMENT
June Fergusson Pool (Delta College - Stockton, Calif.)
UC Davis games only.

GOALS - UC Davis: Walter Eggert 4, Trevor Allen 2, Colin Hicks 2, Aaron Salit 1, Chris Richardson 1. Pepp: Nathan Castillo 5, Andrew Milcovich 3, Stephen Loomis 2, Danny White 1, Mike Tragitt 1, Colin Carroll 1, Tommy Briskey 1.

GOALIE SAVES - UC Davis: Kevin Peat 7 (32:00). Pepp: Bence Valics 15 (32:00).

GOALS - VU: David Buckalew 2, Jason Lee 1, Sean Little 1. UC Davis: Chris Richardson 3, Luke Collins 2, Aaron Salit 2, Russell Hampton 2, Trevor Allen 1, Bernie Rogers 1, Kevin Meisel 1, Jared Clapham 1.

GOALIE SAVES - VU: Christian Carillo 7 (32:00). UC Davis: Kevin Peat 8 (32:00).