MPOLO11/24/2024 3:47 PM | By: Cal Athletics
Bears Finish 4th At MPSF Championships
Mirkovic Leads Cal With 2 Goals
Nik Mirkovic scored a team-high two goals for the Golden Bears (12-13). Jordi Gascon, Brennan Fuchslin and William Kelly also scored once each.
After falling behind early, the Bears fought back with a pair of unanswered goals to tie it 2-2 midway through the first. Gascon pounced on a rebound to sneak one past Stanford (21-4) goalkeeper West Temkin at the 4:36 mark of the opening period. Less than a minute later, Kelly skipped in a shot from the left side on a power play.
The Bears struggled to get good looks after that, being held scoreless until Nik Mirkovic put away his first of two goals at the 5:57 mark of the third. Several minutes later, Gascon drew a penalty and Mirkovic scored again from the penalty spot. Fuchslin added the final goal of the game with 2:58 to go in the final frame.
Goalkeeper Max LaGrange finished with four saves and center George Avakian had three earned exclusions.
The Bears will now look ahead to the NCAA Selection Show, which takes place on Monday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. PT.
No. 2 Stanford 14, No. 7 California 5
Cal 2 0 2 1 – 5
Stan 3 5 6 0 – 14
Cal Goals: Mirkovic 2, Gascon, Fuchslin, Kelly
Stan Goals: Gheorghe 3, Pittman 2, Balogh 2, Jensen 2, Painter 2, C. McFarland, D. McFarland, Schneider
Cal Saves: Max LaGrange 4
Stan Saves: West Temkin 16
Early goals from Jordi Gascon and Will Kelly have the Bears within one after one!
— Cal Water Polo (@CalWaterPolo) November 24, 2024
?? Watch on @OvernghtMedia https://t.co/adcXns8dEw#GoBears ?? pic.twitter.com/MWnkAAnlEK
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