UC Davis finished its regular season over the weekend with two defeats against California and Stanford. With the losses, the Aggies finished the season 20-10.
The weekend started with the home finale against No. 3 Cal, as the Golden Bears proved why it is in the hunt for a National Championship with a 13-6 victory.
Senior Aaron Salit netted a hat trick in his final home appearance, but the Bears were just too much, dominating the game and taking an 11-3 lead into the 4th period.
UC Davis traveled to California’s rival in Palo Alto on Sunday, but the story wasn’t much different with a 12-7 defeat. The No. 4 Cardinal held a 7-2 lead at halftime, and the Aggies’ comeback was too little, too late.
Salit again scored a hat trick, plus one, bringing his season total to 75 goals, the highest total amassed by a UC Davis player since Mike Gotelli set the school-record with 115 in 1997.
The Aggies hope the stiff competition will prepare them for the Western Water Polo Association Championship, which will take place next weekend. UC Davis will enter the tournament as the fourth seed.
— Russell Eisenman