Saturday, September 19
Palo Alto, Calif.
9:20 A.M
UC Irvine
16
vs
8
California
No. 13 UCI Falls to No. 4 Cal, 16-8, at MPSF Invitational
September 19, 2026 | Men's Water Polo
STANFORD, Calif – No. 13 UC Irvine men's water polo fell to No. 4 Cal, 16-8, on Saturday morning at day two of the MPSF Invitational.
The Golden Bears came out firing, scoring eight goals in the opening quarter while limiting UCI to four to take an 8-4 lead into the second. Cal added four more goals in the second quarter, while the 'Eaters managed just one, sending the Golden Bears into halftime with a 12-5 advantage. Cal continued to control the game in the third, shutting out UCI while adding three goals to extend its lead to 15-5 heading into the final frame. The 'Eaters responded with a 3-1 advantage in the fourth quarter, but the late push wasn't enough to overcome the deficit as UCI fell, 16-8.
BY THE NUMBERS: Cole Francisco and Alex Lopez each led the way with two goals.
Ethan Spoon, Andrew Bockstahler, River Davis, and Maddox McEwen each netted one.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Golden Bears came out strong, holding the 'Eaters scoreless for nearly the first five minutes of the match while building an 8-0 advantage. Cal struck twice in quick succession at 7:23 and 6:58 before converting on the power play at 6:46. The Golden Bears added four more goals at 6:29, 5:43, 4:35 and 4:01 to extend their lead to 7-0, then converted a penalty shot at 3:10 to make it 8-0. The 'Eaters responded late in the opening quarter. At the 2:20 mark, Alex Lopez drew a penalty, setting up Cole Francisco to convert the five-meter attempt and put UCI on the board. UCI added another five-meter goal at 1:49 after Wyley Dale drew a penalty, with Lopez converting to make it 8-2. Lopez found the back of the net again at 1:18 to cut the deficit to four. With 14 seconds remaining in the quarter, Ethan Spoon scored off an assist from Gage Verdegaal, sending the 'Eaters into the second quarter trailing 8-4.
Cal opened the second quarter with back-to-back goals at 6:37 and 5:05 to push its lead to 10-4. Francisco answered with a power-play goal, assisted by Verdegaal, to bring UCI within five at 10-5. The Golden Bears added two more goals at 2:17 and 0:55 to take a 12-5 lead into halftime.
The Golden Bears controlled the third quarter, holding the 'Eaters scoreless while adding three goals of their own. Cal scored at 6:24 and 5:25 before converting a five-meter attempt at 4:19 to extend its advantage to 15-5 heading into the final frame.
UCI continued to battle in the fourth quarter, with River Davis finding the back of the net at 7:22 to cut the deficit to 15-6. Cal responded with a goal at 3:58, restoring its 10-goal advantage. Andrew Bockstahler then converted on the power play at 3:15 to make it 16-7. Maddox McEwen capped the scoring with a goal off a pass from Samuel Bowman, but the 'Eaters ultimately fell, 16-8.
UP NEXT: The 'Eaters take on No. 9 UC San Diego today at 1:40 p.m. to close out day two of the MPSF Invitational.
The Golden Bears came out firing, scoring eight goals in the opening quarter while limiting UCI to four to take an 8-4 lead into the second. Cal added four more goals in the second quarter, while the 'Eaters managed just one, sending the Golden Bears into halftime with a 12-5 advantage. Cal continued to control the game in the third, shutting out UCI while adding three goals to extend its lead to 15-5 heading into the final frame. The 'Eaters responded with a 3-1 advantage in the fourth quarter, but the late push wasn't enough to overcome the deficit as UCI fell, 16-8.
BY THE NUMBERS: Cole Francisco and Alex Lopez each led the way with two goals.
Ethan Spoon, Andrew Bockstahler, River Davis, and Maddox McEwen each netted one.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Golden Bears came out strong, holding the 'Eaters scoreless for nearly the first five minutes of the match while building an 8-0 advantage. Cal struck twice in quick succession at 7:23 and 6:58 before converting on the power play at 6:46. The Golden Bears added four more goals at 6:29, 5:43, 4:35 and 4:01 to extend their lead to 7-0, then converted a penalty shot at 3:10 to make it 8-0. The 'Eaters responded late in the opening quarter. At the 2:20 mark, Alex Lopez drew a penalty, setting up Cole Francisco to convert the five-meter attempt and put UCI on the board. UCI added another five-meter goal at 1:49 after Wyley Dale drew a penalty, with Lopez converting to make it 8-2. Lopez found the back of the net again at 1:18 to cut the deficit to four. With 14 seconds remaining in the quarter, Ethan Spoon scored off an assist from Gage Verdegaal, sending the 'Eaters into the second quarter trailing 8-4.
Cal opened the second quarter with back-to-back goals at 6:37 and 5:05 to push its lead to 10-4. Francisco answered with a power-play goal, assisted by Verdegaal, to bring UCI within five at 10-5. The Golden Bears added two more goals at 2:17 and 0:55 to take a 12-5 lead into halftime.
The Golden Bears controlled the third quarter, holding the 'Eaters scoreless while adding three goals of their own. Cal scored at 6:24 and 5:25 before converting a five-meter attempt at 4:19 to extend its advantage to 15-5 heading into the final frame.
UCI continued to battle in the fourth quarter, with River Davis finding the back of the net at 7:22 to cut the deficit to 15-6. Cal responded with a goal at 3:58, restoring its 10-goal advantage. Andrew Bockstahler then converted on the power play at 3:15 to make it 16-7. Maddox McEwen capped the scoring with a goal off a pass from Samuel Bowman, but the 'Eaters ultimately fell, 16-8.
UP NEXT: The 'Eaters take on No. 9 UC San Diego today at 1:40 p.m. to close out day two of the MPSF Invitational.
Players Mentioned
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Center
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water Polo
Utility
/ Men's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Men's Water PoloMonday, April 20
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