Long Beach State University
California
49ers Drop MPSF Opener To No. 1 Cal
2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Nov. 23, 2007
BERKELEY, Calif. - Ash Blythen scored two goals to lead the Long Beach State offense, but No. 1-ranked California had too much firepower and defeated the eighth-ranked 49ers 11-7 on Friday morning in the opening round of the 2007 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Men's Water Polo Tournament at the Spieker Aquatics Complex. Cal (25-3) moves on to Saturday's semifinals, while the 49ers (17-13) will take on either UCLA or UC Irvine in the consolation bracket at 11 am.
Cal jumped to a 3-1 lead after one quarter, only to see the 49ers fight back and tie the game 4-4 at the half as the 49ers tallied three second quarter goals. The Golden Bears then took control of the game with a three-goal third quarter to sprint to a 7-4 lead. Long Beach scored three more goals in the fourth quarter, but Cal countered each tally, recording four goals.
Justin Koeppen, Reid Tomassi, Travis Buchanan, Nick Korsgaden and Kevin vanHaaster all scored for the 49ers. Trent Calder and Michael Sharf both had three goals for Cal. 49er goalie Steve MacKenzie had eight saves and Cal's keeper, Mark Sheredy, recorded 13 goalie saves.
