DAVIS – The No. 4 California men’s water polo team opened the Aggie Roundup with a pair of top-20 wins Saturday defeating No. 18 Harvard 16-7 and No. 10 San Jose State 14-10 to improve to 4-0 on the season.
It was Beso Akhvlediani show in the first game of the day as the reigning second team All-American paced all players with seven goals including four that came in the first quarter that gave Cal a lead that it would never relinquish. The Georgian also added three assists and four steals. The Bears led 10-5 heading into the final period and finished strong winning the fourth quarter 6-2 with five different scorers finding the net. Goalkeeper Riley Clansen earned another start in the cage and chipped in four saves, two assists, and a steal.
Just as they did against the Crimson, the Bears opened their battle with the Spartans with a five-goal first quarter to take an early lead. Akhvlediani and Patrik Kolak scored a pair in the opening minute and from there on out Cal led by at least a goal for the rest of the game. Loui Schuler led the team with four goals and added a trio of assists and a steal. Clansen once again went the distance and for the second time this season collected double-digit saves recording 11, which included four power-play stops and a penalty save.
The Bears will conclude the weekend and their season-opening road stint with a pair of exhibitions tomorrow facing Cuesta College at 8 a.m. and American River at 11 a.m. Live streaming and scoring will not be available for either contest.
AGGIE ROUNDUP
Schaal Aquatics Center | Davis, CA
GAME ONE
No. 4 Cal 16, No. 18 Harvard 7
Cal 5-2-3-6
Harvard 3-1-1-2
GAME TWO
No. 4 Cal 14, No. 10 SJSU 10
Cal 5-3-4-2
SJSU 2-2-5-1
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal men’s water polo, follow the Bears on X/ Twitter (@CalWaterPolo) and Instagram (@calmwaterpolo).
