Men’s water polo: UCI splits in No. Cal tourney

PALO ALTO - The UC Irvine men’s water polo team split its two games

during the first day of the Northern California Tournament at Stanford

Saturday.

The ninth-ranked Anteaters opened with a 9-8 victory over No. 7 UC San

Diego behind four goals from senior Chris Kirchwehm and three by

sophomore Garrett Gentry, a Corona del Mar High product.

UCI outscored the Tritons, 4-1, in the second quarter to take a 5-2

halftime lead. The Anteaters then led 9-5 after three periods, but had to

hold off a late rally as UCSD scored three goals in the final five

minutes of the game.

Junior goalie Doug Finfrock recorded nine saves for the Anteaters.

In the second game, the Anteaters lost to top-ranked Stanford, 8-3, as

redshirt freshman Tony Azevedo scored four goals for the Cardinal (8-0).

UCI closed Stanford’s lead to 4-3 in the third quarter on an extra-man

goal by freshman Dreason Barry, but the Cardinal then scored four

unanswered goals, including two by Azevedo, in the fourth quarter to put

the game away.

John Dorfi and Dan Noon also scored for UC Irvine, while Doug Finfrock

had 10 saves in goal for the Anteaters, who fell to 3-5 on the season.

UCI will play California in the consolation bracket at 8:00 a.m.

Sunday.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TOURNAMENT

First round

UC San Diego 1 1 3 3 - 8

UC Irvine 1 4 4 0 - 9

UCSD - Allan 4, Samuels 2, Djapic 1, Motschall 1. Saves - Onken 8.

UCI - Kirchwehm 4, Gentry 3, Dorfi 1, Noon 1. Saves - Finfrock 9.

Second round

UC Irvine 1 0 2 0 - 3

Stanford 3 0 1 4 - 8

UCI - Dorfi 1, Noon 1, Barry 1. Saves - Finfrock 10.

S - Azevedo 4, Dutton 2, Hudnut 1, Crum 1. Saves - Ellis 9.