Sept. 27, 2007

BERKELEY, CALIF. - Senior Michael Sharf scored a match-high six goals, and fellow senior Jeff Tyrrell added five goals, as the No. 2-ranked California men's water polo team (10-1) overpowered No. 15 Pacific (3-8), 17-7, Thursday night at Spieker Aquatics Complex. In the MPSF league-opener for both schools, the Golden Bears had held a narrow 8-7 advantage early in the third period before exploding for a 9-0 run to finish the contest.

Pacific's Dragan Bakic scored on a counterattack with 6:03 left in the third period to get the Tigers within 8-7. From that point on, however, it was all Cal as Sharf and Tyrrell took advantage of the Bears' strong counterattack to wear down Pacific. Sharf scored at 5:46 in the third period, followed by two goals from junior center Trent Calder and a goal by Tyrrell. With a 12-7 advantage entering the fourth period, Cal kept up its offensive pressure with two more goals apiece from Sharf and Tyrrell, and a final goal from senior junior college transfer Vladislav Andreyev with 1:48 left in the match.

Prior the third period it was a tight battle, even though the Bears never trailed. The Tigers' Mike Struempf was able to tie the contest, 5-5, with a goal off a Bakic assist at the start of the second period. Finally, Cal was able to create a little cushion when Sharf scored back-to-back goals at 3:46 and 2:41 left in the half for a 7-5 lead. Twice Pacific was able to get within a goal - on Andy Skora's shot at 2:17 in the second period, and then on Bakic's goal early in the third period, before the Bears outscored the Tigers, 9-0, in the final 13 and a half minutes.

Besides the offense of Sharf and Tyrrell, Calder added three goals, and seniors Andreyev, Zac Monsees and Adam Haley had a goal apiece. Senior goal Mark Sheredy finished with seven saves, including five blocks in the third period.

Cal will next host a non-league Harvard on Friday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

California 17, Pacific 7
Pacific 4-2-1-0 - 7
California 5-3-4-5 - 17

Goals - Pacific - Dragan Bakic 3, Mike Struempf 2, Nick Jaska, Andy Skora.
California - Michael Sharf 6, Jeff Tyrrell 5, Trent Calder 3, Adam Haley, Vladislav Andreyev,
Zac Monsees.
Saves - Pacific - David Andrus 12.
California - Mark Sheredy 7.
Records: California 10-1, Pacific 3-8