The core of the UC Davis men’s water polo team is going to look a little different next year. After four seasons as the starter, Kevin Peat will leave the school as arguably the  best goalkeeper in UC Davis history. The Walnut Creek, Calif. native finished the season with 335 saves, a UC Davis record. The senior became the third Aggie to surpass the 1,000-save milestone, amassing 1,011 stops over the course of his career. “Some say Andrew Luck should win the Heisman Trophy because he is like a coach on the field and calls his own plays,” said Head Coach Steve Doten. “Kevin has done the same for us this year and more, running our defenses in games and training our young goalies in practices. He is not only reliable in the cage, but in the weight room, the classroom and the locker room. He is a great teammate and leader.” As team captain, Peat’s responsibilities extended beyond guarding the cage, including coming up clutch in big games when... ...

Many people have trouble staying afloat in water for long periods of time. Imagine having to do it with one or two people always on your back. That’s what center Aaron Salit did, playing entire water polo matches with someone draped over him. It didn’t seem to stop him, as Salit’s 83 goals for the year ranks third in UC Davis history, and represents the highest total by a player in the Western Water Polo Association this season. The 6’6” Mill Valley, Calif. product finished his career with 161 goals, good for sixth all-time. Salit had a knack for scoring, especially when the team needed a goal. Never was this more apparent than the triple overtime upset of Loyola Marymount in the WWPA Conference Tournament in November. With the team barely having enough energy left in the tank to swim back and forth each time, Salit was left alone on the outside during a counter attack. With the clock winding down, Salit fired a laser of a shot to give... ...

For the third time in five years and second straight season, the UC Davis men’s water polo team advanced to the Western Water Polo Association championship game. Unfortunately, the Aggies lost to UC San Diego by one goal, with an inspiring comeback falling just short. UC Davis ended its season with a record of 22-12, the third 20-win season in program history. Friday — No. 12 UC Davis 6, No. 20 Air Force 3 The action began Friday, the Aggies defeating Air Force 6-3 in a defensive oriented game. Despite playing well in the first three quarters, the Aggies went into the fourth period down 3-2. “I just told them to keep doing what they’re doing, the defense is working,” said Head Coach Steve Doten. “Keep shooting and the result will come.” The team responded and scored four unanswered goals to pull away. The Aggies were balanced on offense getting a goal from six different players. Senior Luke Collins tallied a goal, an assist, a steal, and three blocks to... ...

Teams: UC Davis vs. Air Force or Occidental; vs. TBD Records: Aggies, 20-10 (11-4); Fighting Falcons, 8-16 (5-7); Tigers 7-22 (1-13) Where: Canyonview Aquatic Center — La Jolla, Calif. When:  Friday at 1:30 p.m.; TBD Who to watch: Senior Kevin Peat will be looking to have a strong showing at his final Western Water Polo Association Tournament. The Walnut Creek, Calif. native has started all 29 games for the Aggies this season and is averaging 9.8 saves per-match. Peat also has 278 saves so far this season, giving him the fifth best season in UC Davis history for that category. Did you know? Three Aggies earned WWPA honors this season. Senior Aaron Salit was named first-team all WWPA while junior Colin Hicks made the second-team. Freshman Chris Richardson received all-freshman honors. Preview: No. 12 UC Davis enters the WWPA Tournament coming off two straight losses against top competition. The Aggies fell to No. 3 California and No. 4 Stanford on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Despite the losses, coach Steve Doten... ...

It’s hard to miss the 6’6” center on the UC Davis water polo team. Add in the fact that he’s led the Aggies in goals his last two seasons, with 49 and 68 respectively, and it’s no wonder players and coaches love working with senior Aaron Salit. “Talk about humble, he’s so grounded and so bright, it has been great to have him,” said coach Steve Doten. “It may be the first time in all my years here where we had a real center, we’re going to miss having 6’6” at that position. He’s matured so much, it’s amazing how fast it goes by, he’s a tremendous individual and the guy is going to be super successful in his life.” Salit sat down with Aggie sports writer Russell Eisenman to talk water polo, school and life after Davis. Was water polo one of the first sports you played? I started swimming when I was nine, and I played all sports from baseball to roller hockey, but I found water polo... ...

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... ...

Teams: No. 12 UC Davis vs. No. 3 California; at No. 4 Stanford Records: Aggies, 20-9 (11-4); Golden Bears, 17-3 (5-1, MPSF); Cardinal, 15-4 (4-2, MPSF) Where: Schaal Aquatics Center; Avery Aquatic Center — Palo Alto, CA When:  Saturday at 10 a.m.; Sunday at noon Who to watch: Senior Luke Collins is shooting 77 percent this season. He has tallied 31 goals on just 40 shots. Did you know? Senior Walter Eggert has won 87 percent (21-of-24) of the sprints he’s attempted this season. Eggert is also averaging 17.8 minutes per match, the highest of any position player this year. Preview: Seniors Eggert, Collins, Ryan Hagens, Kevin Peat, and Aaron Salit will be doing everything in their power to ensure victory in this last weekend of games (including their home finale) before the Western Water Polo Association Championships. “On the one side, it’s very tough to have to play [California] and Stanford,” coach Steven Doten said. “But on the other, no one is going to be as good as they... ...