Sept. 10, 2005

STOCKTON, Calif. -- The No. 14 Pacific men's water polo team fell to 3-2 on the season with a 8-5 non-conference defeat to No. 2 California (4-0) on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Chris Kjeldsen Pool. Though both teams are Mountain Pacific Sports Federation members, their annual conference meeting will take place Oct. 2, at Cal.

Both teams fought back and forth throughout the first half, with neither team seeming to have an advantage. The game was tied at four apiece at the half, although the Tigers missed an opportunity with 3:20 left as Dragan Bakic (Split, Croatia) had a 4M penalty shot blocked by Cal keeper Nate Bennett (Merced, Calif.).

Even though Cal missed their own 4M penalty shot in the fourth period, they outscored the Tigers 4-1 in the second half of play. Depth was the name of the game for Cal on the afternoon, as seven Bears contributed to the scoring attack, led by sophomore Michael Sharf's (Orlinda, Calif.) two goals.

Bakic and Matt Mitchell (San Diego, Calif) had two goals apiece for the Tigers.

After the match, the Pacific Alumni defeated the Tigers 15-9 in an exhibition contest.

Pacific is next in action with a non-conference contest against UC Davis on Sunday, Sept. 11, at noon. at Chris Kjeldsen Pool.

No. 2 CALIFORNIA 8, No. 14 PACIFIC 5

1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q - TOT

Cal 3 1 2 2 - 8

PACIFIC 3 1 1 0 - 5

Scoring

Cal: Michael Sharf 2, Brian Bacharach, John Mann, Brian Kinsel, Mike Hayes, Marty Matthies, Shea Buckner.

PACIFIC: Dragan Bakic 2, Matt Mitchell 2, Adam Zobler.

Goalkeeper Saves:

Cal: Nate Bennett 7.

PACIFIC: Marko Popovic 13.