MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's water polo team fell short of a fourth quarter comeback and fell 14-12 to Fresno Pacific University on Saturday morning at the Aquatic Center.
The Bobcats (12-18) trailed by five early in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to three goals inside of three minutes, but the scoring stopped there for both teams in the third matchup between the two foes this year. Despite the loss, the Bobcats won the season series 2-1.
Camden Peterson recorded five goals in the setback, his first five-goal game of the month and his fifth of the campaign. The freshman also had four steals and two assists.
Killian Nguyen notched his fourth straight hat trick and reached 75 goals in the 30-game campaign.
Peterson scored on the Bobcats first possession and answered a FPU goal midway through the first quarter on a power play to give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead. After another tie on the scoreboard, Tommy Bauer put his team back in front. However, the Sunbirds scored two in a row before the first quarter buzzer and grabbed their first lead of the game at 4-3.
The two teams alternated goals for the majority of the second quarter before FPU scored back-to-back in the final 90 seconds to take an 8-5 lead into intermission. Andrew Jones got on the score sheet for the Bobcats in the period.
The Bobcats were doubled up at 10-5 less than two minutes into the third quarter before fighting back. William Pezold scored and then Peterson deposited a shot into the back of the net to cut the deficit to 10-7. FPU matched the Bobcats and built their lead back to five goals heading into the final frame.
Head coach Johnny Bega's defense was stellar in the fourth quarter, allowing just one early goal and then holding Fresno Pacific scoreless for the final six minutes of the game.
Trailing 14-9, Nguyen struck first a man up and then Peterson followed a minute later to keep the comeback hopes alive. Howie Zeff scored with three minutes and 20 seconds left to cut the deficit to 14-12, but that was it for the Bobcats.
Matthew Lloyd played all 32 minutes in the cage for the Bobcats and recorded six saves.
Up next, UC Merced will host NCAA Division One Air Force Academy for the regular season finale on Saturday, November 4 at 11:00am at the Aquatic Center.
