Oct. 1, 2011

LOS ALAMITOS, CALIF. -

Led by junior Marin Balarin's four goals and three goals apiece from sophomores Collin Smith and Perry Short, the No. 3-ranked Cal men's water polo team (9-1) dominated No. 15 Santa Clara, 16-8, in the first round of the SoCal Invitational played at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base (site of USA Water Polo's training facility). It was the third time the Golden Bears have the defeated the Broncos this season (21-3 Sept. 3 and 18-2 Sept. 25).

Cal will next play the winner of No. 6 Pacific and No. 11 Loyola Marymount at 5:50 p.m. in Los Alamitos.

The Bears took control of the match early by outscoring Santa Clara, 7-2, in the first period and led, 12-3, at halftime. Besides the scoring of Balarin and Smith, junior goalie Justin Parsons tallied nine saves and seniors Luka Saponjic and Cory Nasoff had two goals each. Senior Ivan Rackov and freshman Aleksa Saponjic added goals as well.

CAL 7 5 2 2 - 16

SC 2 1 5 0 - 8

Goals CAL: Marin Balarin 4, Collin Smith 3, Perry Short 3, Luka Saponjic 2, Cory Nasoff 2, Ivan Rackov, Aleksa Saponjic

SC: Nasser 2, Zylstra 2, Case 2, Carlson 2

Goalkeeper Saves CAL: Justin Parsons 9

SC: Nash 6