Box Score LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Augustana Vikings men's water polo team was defeated in the opening round of the MPSF Championships on Friday, falling to Division I opponent California by a score of 23-8.

The Golden Bears notched the first two tallies of the game, but Augie countered with a power play score by Tyler Leslie halfway through the frame. Cal scored five more times in the final four minutes of the period to bring a 7-1 lead into the second. A tightly-contested second quarter followed, with the Golden Bears holding a slim 4-3 advantage through the final eight minutes of the half. Mark Addison, Stevan Rasic, and Ian Palmroos accounted for the three strikes for the Vikings as they trailed 11-4 at the break. 

California doubled up Augustana in the third by a score of 6-3. The Vikings again saw three goals come from three different players for the second straight period as Rhys Lomax, Oskar Bannister, and Trentin Lechleitner each found the back of the net. Cole Faux added the final tally for Augustana in the fourth.

Declan Hutton had five saves for the team, while Henry Sothern had three and Ian Root added two in their split time. Bannister led the Vikings with three assists.

Augie will now enter the Eastern side of the tournament and take on Washington & Jefferson tomorrow for a trip to the MPSF East championship game. The game is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. CT.