Nov. 29, 2009

MPSF Tournament Central

LOS ANGELES --- Cole Bielskis and Kyle Kruip scored three goals each to lead UC Irvine over Pepperdine, 14-8, in the fifth-place game of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship Tournament at USC's McDonald's Swim Stadium Sunday.

James Frank, Kyle Baxter and Brandon Johnson added two goals apiece for UCI, which improved to 17-12 on the season. Senior goalie Erik Evered recorded seven saves.

The `Eaters led 5-1 after the first quarter on two goals by Bielskis and one each from Brandon Johnson, Kyle Kruip and James Frank.

UCI led 8-5 at halftime but a goal by Pepperdine's Clayton Snyder with 7:29 left in the third quarter cut the margin to 8-6.

Consecutive goals by Brandon Johnson, Kyle Baxter, Frank and Bielskis gave the `Eaters a commanding 12-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Danny White and Preston Lujan led Pepperdine (13-12) with two goals each.

The Anteaters entered the tournament as the sixth seed and went 2-1 on the weekend. Pepperdine was the No. 5 seed.

UCI had six players with at least 25 goals this season: Tom Kruip (50), Brandon Johnson (49), Bielskis (48), Greg Enloe (32), Frank (27) and Kyle Kruip (25).

UCI: Cole Bielskis 3, Kyle Kruip 3, Kyle Baxter 2, James Frank 2, Brandon Johnson 2, Griffin Lerman, Tom Kruip.

Pep: Danny White 2, Preston Lujan 2, Brett Auer, Andrew Milcovich, Travis Gough, Clayton Snyder.

Saves: Erik Evered (UCI) 7; Tommy O'Connell (P) 6, Bryce McLain (P) 3.