West Valley College men’s water polo team lost 21-13 to the No. 4 nationally ranked Cal men’s water polo team on September 24, 2026, in Berkeley, California. Cal outscored West Valley in each of the first three quarters, building two separate five-goal runs that extended their lead.
Makar Salnikov and Patrik Szabo each scored three goals for West Valley, with Szabo also contributing a team-high four assists. Cal’s Steffen Hinnerk Hülshoff recorded two goals and three assists, playing a key role in the Golden Bears’ offense.
West Valley goalkeeper Nicholas Boniface made 10 saves during the game. Additional contributions for West Valley included Ali Cinar Nuray with two goals and Yonotan Yoffenbratel Nadler leading defense with two steals, while Cal’s Jake Primmer and Steffen Hinnerk Hülshoff each notched a block.
Cal led each quarter by scores of 5-3, 6-3, 6-3 and 4-4. Despite closing the gap to 12-9 in the third quarter, West Valley could not overcome Cal’s scoring runs. The Vikings are set to continue their NCAA competition on September 26 with matches against San Jose State and UC Merced.
CSB Take
West Valley College’s men’s water polo team showed solid effort despite facing a top-ranked Cal squad. Patrik Szabo’s offensive production and Nicholas Boniface’s goaltending were highlights for the Vikings. The experience gained from this matchup serves as a valuable benchmark for West Valley as they prepare for upcoming NCAA contests. Continued development in competitive settings will be crucial for West Valley’s progress this season.
Source: Original report
