USC
California
USC Jumps Ahead Early, Holds Off Cal, 7-5
October 30, 1999 | Men's Water Polo
Oct. 30, 1999
BERKELEY, Calif. - The California men's water polo team outscored the visiting USC Trojans 4-2 in the second half, but could not overcome a 5-1 halftime deficit, falling to USC 7-5 in a conference match at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
Cal falls to 7-9 on the season (2-4 in MPSF) while USC improves to 16-2 overall (4-1 MPSF).
The Bears got off to a fast start with Robert Palmer taking a pass from Eldad Hazor for a counter attack goal just half a minute into the contest to give Cal an early 1-0 lead. The Bears would not control the lead again as the Trojans scored five unanswered goals in the first half before Spencer Dornin put a score past goalie Richard McEvoy with 6:10 to play in the third quarter to make it 5-2. After battling to an even 2-2 in the third period, James Lathrop and Hazor scored in the fourth quarter to pull Cal within two with 5:55 to go in the game. Despite a flurry of shots in the final minutes, the Bears came up scoreless.
"We had a multitude of offensive opportunities," said Cal coach Peter Asch. "But we have got to put the ball away."
Asch noted that his team needs to improve its shooting, stating that Cal played well in the second half, "but we have got to do it for four quarters, not just a half."
Southern Cal had little trouble with their offense as seven different Trojans scored goals in the contest. No player had more than one point in the game, as five different Bears scored as well.
USC travels to Stanford Sunday to take on the top-ranked Cardinal in a conference match. Cal returns to action Sunday at noon against visiting UC Davis at Spieker. The Aggies are 9-19 overall this season. Cal has won both contests between the two teams this season this year by nine goals or more.
Southern Cal 7, California 5
October 30, 1999
Spieker Aquatics Complex, Berkeley
USC 3 2 2 0 -- 7 Cal 1 0 2 2 -- 5
Goals
USC - Babic, Castle, Csaszar, Guerrero, Janov, Lontay, O'Rourke.
Cal - S. Dornin, Hazor, J. Lathrop, Palmer, Won.
Goalie Saves - McEvoy (USC) 9, Ahasey (Cal ) 6.
Record
USC (16-2, 4-1 MPSF)
Cal (7-9, 2-4 MPSF)
