Long Beach State University
California
Long Beach State loses home opener against Cal 14-6
10/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Oct. 8, 2011
Long Beach, Calif. - No. 2 Cal got out to a fast start, scoring five goals in the first quarter, and while the No. 14 49ers kept things even in the second half, the Bears grabbed a 14-6 win.
California (13-2) outscored Long Beach State (11-5) in the first quarter 5-1, and that would be the main difference in the game. Aleksa Saponjic got the Bears on the board in the second minute, and the 49ers held that score until Sapnojic struck again at 4:08. The floodgates then opened, as Cal scored three straight goals to take a 5-0 lead before the 49ers snuck in a goal just before the end of the period to trail 5-1.
A slick move on the outside by Luka Saponjic gave the Bears another goal to start the second quarter, and the Bears would eventually take an 8-1 lead before Long Beach State was able to pull back by again scoring the last goal in the period, as Dan Matulis put home a goal for the 49ers.
Trailing 8-2 to begin the second half, Long Beach State played closer with the Bears throughout the second half. After a goal on a penalty shot put the Bears up 10-2, Long Beach State held even with the Bears the rest of the way. Nick Rascon scored on a 5-meter penalty for his second goal of the day in the fourth period, matching Dan Ratulis for the 49ers' team lead. Both Saponjic brothers scored three times to lead the Bears.
Long Beach State is back in action on Oct. 12, when the 49ers will host No. 9 UC San Diego at 3 p.m. in the Campus Pool.
