The California men’s water polo team, ranked No. 3 nationally, completed the Rare Air Challenge at Cadet Natatorium in Colorado without a loss, securing victories against Salem and Mount St. Mary’s on Sunday.
In their first match of the day, the Golden Bears defeated Salem 27-2. William Kelly and Chase Wilson each scored five goals, while Tomas Perrone led the defense with three steals. The team had 14 different players score and outshot Salem 38-15, maintaining a shooting percentage of .711. Cal held Salem scoreless in the first half and drew 13 exclusions during the game. Goalkeeper Aran Pina contributed eight saves and one steal over 32 minutes.
The second game saw Cal overcome Mount St. Mary’s by a score of 27-3. Freshman Beso Akhvlediani recorded a career-high six goals and added an assist. Four other Bears—Chase Wilson, Tomas Perrone, Seth Bousfield, and William Kelly—scored at least three goals each. Cal outshot its opponent 47-19 with a .574 shooting percentage. Alex Oprea registered three steals for the team in this match, while Perrone added three assists and two steals. The Bears finished with 13 steals as a team.
Tomas Perrone continued to play a key role defensively throughout both games, earning a total of 16 saves on Sunday while allowing only five goals.
Cal is scheduled to host the Golden Bear Invitational next, where they will participate in exhibition matches against international teams CN Marseille and CN Atlètic-Barceloneta.
“William Kelly (5) and Chase Wilson (5) combined for 10 goals.
The Bears had 14 goal scorers in the contest, while outshooting their opponent 38-15.
Cal shot at a .711 (27-for-38) percentage and held Salem to .113 (2-for-15) percent.
The Bears held the Tigers scoreless in the first half.
Dominic Brown and Tomas Perrone registered three goals apiece.
Beso Akhvlediani provided two goals for the Bears.
Kai Inoue, Maddox Arlett, Albert Ponferrada, Milan Sumich, Brennan Fuchslin, Gigo Sarimsakci, Patrick Stice, Bende Pardi and Seth Bousfield all provided a goal for Cal.
The Bears scored at least five goals in each period, including eight in the second.
Cal drew a total of 13 exclusions in the game.
As a team, the Bears earned 12 steals, led by Perrone, who recorded three.
Goalkeeper Aran Pina clinched the win with eight saves and one steal in 32 minutes.”
“Freshman Beso Akhvlediani posted a career-high six goals and added one assist.
Five Bears scored at least three goals: Akhvlediani (6), Chase Wilson (4), Tomas Perrone (3), Seth Bousfield (3) and William Kelly (3).
Cal outshot Mount St. Mary’s 47-19, while scoring at a .574 (27-for-47) percent clip.
Luke Bachler added two goals, while Dominic Brown, Milan Sumich,Gigo Sarimsakci,Ryder Hagan,Patrick Stice andBende Pardi each found the back of the net once.
The Bears recorded eight goals in the first and third periods.
Alex Oprea notched a team-high three steals in the contest.
Perrone led Cal with three assists, while snatching two steals.
As a team, the Bears secured 13 steals in the game.
Aran Pina earned the victory after securing eight saves.”
