Nov. 23, 2008

Stockton, Calif.- In an emotion-filled day at Chris Kjeldsen Pool, Pacific dropped a 10-7 decision to the No. 4 ranked Cal Bears. The loss ended the Tigers' season with a 10-20 record overall and 0-8 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). Cal advanced to 18-7 overall and 4-4 in the MPSF with the win. The six seniors of men's water polo team were all recognized prior to the game, and senior goalie Brian Domecus (Vallejo, Calif.) tied the all-time career saves mark in the contest.

The first period of play proved to be a defensive battle for both squads, as more than five minutes passed without a score. Cal broke through first on a score at the 2:42 mark by Brian Dudley. Pacific did not allow another score in the period, and the quarter ended with the Tigers, trailing 1-0.

The Tigers came out energized to start the second quarter as senior Philip Berolzheimer (Stockton, Calif.) won the sprint right out of the gate to give Pacific the early momentum. Despite the sprint win, it was Cal which got on the board first in the period on a Spencer Warden goal at the 6:49 mark. Pacific refused to let the Bears take control as Grant Hollis (Redlands, Calif.) answered back for Pacific only 11 seconds later to cut the lead to 2-1. However, Cal's Warden found the net again for his second of the quarter with 4:24 left to play in the half. Cal continued their run as Zach White followed suit and scored his first of the contest at the 3:36 point, to give Cal a 4-1 lead late in the first half.

Not wanting to back down, Pacific rallied as senior William Milcovich (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored his first goal to bring the Tigers within two, down 4-2. A late five-meter penalty shot by Frank Reynolds put the Bears up 5-2, with :12 to play in the half. Time expired and the Tigers headed to half, in the hunt with the Bears.

The second half of play began with the Cal offense continuing its first half drive, as Luka Saponjic scored for the Bears to put them on top 6-2, early in the quarter. Milcovich again answered the call for Pacific as he netted his second of the game to cut the lead 6-3. Cal scored one more from Thomas Pearson, and Pacific again matched in the quarter with a goal from sophomore Hector Lam Jr. (San Diego, Calif.) at the 4:21 mark, to make it 7-4. Several minutes passed with both defenses rising to the top. Neither team could score, and both squads struggled to find open shots. With :31 remaining in the quarter Trent Calder scored one more for the Bears to give them an 8-4 lead heading into the fourth and final period.

The final period started off in the Tigers favor as sophomore Austin Delong (Houston, Texas) scored the first of the period, and senior Evan Garcia (Seabrook, Texas) made the score 8-6 late in the period. Warden scored his third of the day at the 3:12 mark to give the Bears a 9-6 lead.

Cal added one more from Dudley to go up 10-6 with: 34 left in the game. Hollis scored once more for Pacific as time wound down, but the clock hit zero and the contest ended with the Golden Bears on top, 10-7.

Berolzheimer, Domecus, Garcia, Brett Hirsch (Brea, Calif.), Shane Mahoney (Lodi, Calif.) and Milcovich were all recognized pre-game in the senior recognition ceremony as they played in the final contest of their Pacific careers.

Domecus totaled seven saves on the afternoon to boost his career total to 754, tying him for first place on the career saves list at Pacific. He joins former Tiger All-American Mike Ennis atop the list.

Pacific was led by Milcovich and Hollis who each had two goals in the contest. Domecus totaled seven saves in goal.

Cal was led by Warden who had three goals

GOALS:
Q1:
Cal- Brian Dudley- 2:42

Q2:
Cal- Spencer Warden- 6:49
Spencer Warden- 4:24
Zach White- 3:36
Frank Reynolds- :12

Pacific- Grant Hollis 6:38
William Milcovich 3:02

Q3:
Cal-Luka Sponjic-7:38
Thomas Pearson-4:46
Trent Calder- :31

Pacific- William Milcovich -6:13
Hector Lam Jr. - 4:21

Q4:
Cal- Spencer Warden-3:12
Brian Dudley- :34

Pacific- Austin Delong - 5:18
Evan Garcia - 3:48
Grant Hollis :18