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Suffocating Defense Leads Bears In Road Win

by calbears.com
Mar 28, 2024

FRESNO – Led by another dazzling defensive performance by Isabel Williams, the No. 5 California women's water polo team came away with a 10-6 win at No. 9 Fresno State on Thursday.

The Golden Bear goalkeeper helped shut down the Bulldogs (14-7), racking up 18 saves and five steals. With back-to-back saves late in the fourth quarter, she surpassed Evi Schüller for the second-most career saves in program history.

The Bears' (12-4) suffocating defense saw them take control midway through the game. Fresno State was shut out between the final minutes of the first and third quarters, a stretch which saw Williams total 11 saves and three steals. Cal's offense scored six unanswered goals during that span.

Senior Maddie DeMattia's first-half brace got the Bears out to a 6-2 lead at halftime. Freshman Feline Voordouw and sophomore Abbi Magee both found the back of the net for the second time in the third, capping the decisive 6-0 run to put them ahead 9-2.

Williams capped her milestone day with another six saves in the fourth quarter. Her 23 combined saves and steals set a new season high. Cal has now held its opponent to six goals in nine of 16 games this season.

On Saturday, the Bears resume MPSF play while closing out their three-game road trip at No. 10 Arizona State at noon PT.

No. 5 California 10, No. 9 Fresno State 6
Cal 3 3 3 1 – 10
FSU 2 0 2 2 – 6
Cal Goals: Maddie DeMattia 2, Feline Voordouw 2, Abbi Magee 2, Maryn Dempsey, Claire Rowell, Elena Flynn, Janna Tauscher
FSU Goals: Hailey Andress 2, Abbey Simshauser 2, Kaitlin Howarth, Ashley Williams
Cal Saves: Isabel Williams 18
FSU Saves: Paula Nieto Jasny 5

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For further coverage of Cal women's water polo, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWWPolo), Instagram (@calwwpolo) and Facebook (CalWomensWaterPolo).

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