Sept. 8, 2007

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific men's water polo team fell to No. 2 Cal by a score of 21-7 on Sept. 8 at the Cortopassi Aquatics center in Stockton, Calif. The contest was the first event held at the newly built aquatics center on the campus of Saint Mary's High School since the project was completed merely a few short weeks ago. With the loss the Tigers fell to 2-3 on the season, while the Golden Bears advanced to a perfect 5-0 on the year.

Pacific senior and team captain Dragan Bakic (Split, Croatia) netted the first goal of the game just 30 seconds into the first period on a breakaway set up by senior goalie Brian Domecus (Vallejo, Calif.). Cal was quick to answer back however, as they scored six goals of their own in the first quarter, sending the Tigers into the second period down by five.

After two scoreless minutes in the second period, Cal's Thomas Pearson scored his third goal of the game to put the Golden Bears up by six with 5:59 left to play in the half. Thirty seconds later, Bakic attempted a shot and scored his second of three goals after retrieving his own rebound from a previoiusly saved shot. Two minutes later, Bakic scored his final goal of the game. Before the half, Juniors Mike Struempf (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) and Will Milcovich (Walnut Creek, Calif.) each added a goal for Tigers, sending Pacific into the break down by a score of 9-5.

After being held scoreless in the third period, Struempf and Milcovich each went on to score onc more goal a piece for the Tigers in the fourth quarter, bringing the game's final to a score of 21-7 as time ran out. Domecus ended the game with seven saves on the afternoon.

The Tigers will next be in action on Sept. 15-16 in Berkeley, Calif., when they will compete in the NorCal Tournament. Their next home game will be against UC Davis on Oct. 5 at 3:00 p.m.

Pacific 1 - 4 - 0 - 2 (7)

Cal 6 - 3 - 5 - 7 (21)

Pacific Goals: Bakic 3; Struempf 2; and Milcovich 2

Pacific Saves: Domecus 7