PLEASANT HILL, CA – The third-ranked Stanford water polo team defeated fifth-ranked California in the annual Big Splash at Diablo Valley College.
Cal fell behind early, going down 2-0 in the first quarter, before getting a goal from Jerry Smith 30 seconds into the second period. Eldad Hazor then scored a four-meter penalty shot with 4:43 left in the second quarter to tie the game 2-2. But with five seconds until halftime, Cal’s Spencer Dornin was called for a four-meter penalty of his own and Stanford’s Layne Beaubien converted on the penalty shot to give Stanford a 3-2 lead after two periods of play.
Stanford ran away with the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring Cal 4-2, getting three counterattack goals, to defeat the Bears. Beaubien and Arturo Rodelo each scored two goals to lead the Cardinal. Stanford upped its record to 17-6 overall while the Golden Bears fell to 11-10.