Bears Finish Second At MPSF Championship
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The No. 3 California women's water polo team was defeated by No. 1 UCLA 13-10 in Sunday's MPSF Championship Game, capping off the Golden Bears' deepest run in the tournament since 2011.
Rozanne Voorvelt tied a season high with three goals, notching her third hat trick of the year to lead Cal's (17-6) offense. Goalkeeper Isabel Williams had nine saves and two steals defending the cage. Maryn Dempsey – who scored her 100th career goal for the Bears in Saturday's MPSF Semifinal win over Stanford – finished with two goals, bringing her team-leading total to 42 for the year.
The Bears outscored the top-seeded Bruins (23-0) in the second half and ended the game on a 4-1 run, but couldn't get out of an early hole that saw them fall behind by four goals early in the second period.
Voorvelt put away Cal's first goal in the closing minutes of the first quarter with a pinpoint shot into the top right corner. Abbi Magee fired one inside the near post from the left wing at the 6:26 mark of the second, making it a 5-2 game. The Bears closed the half down 7-3 with their third goal coming on a quick redirect by Maddie DeMattia on a power play.
After UCLA scored the first two goals of the third frame, Voorvelt answered back with two straight of her own. The first came on a gorgeous backhand from center with 4:58 left in the quarter. Two minutes later, Julia Bonaguidi sent in a perfect pass from the right side to Voorvelt, who sealed her hat trick.
For the first time in program history, Cal will be hosting the NCAA Championship at Spieker Aquatics Complex, which takes place on May 10-12. The tournament field will be announced tomorrow during the NCAA National Collegiate Women's Water Polo Selection Show, which takes place at 5 p.m. PT on NCAA.com.
No. 1 UCLA 13, No. 3 California 10
Cal 1 2 3 4 – 10
UCLA 4 3 4 2 – 13
Cal Goals: Rozanne Voorvelt 3, Maryn Dempsey 2, Mallory Reynoso, Maddie DeMattia, Elena Flynn, Abbi Magee, Reagan Whitney
UCLA Goals: Sophie Wallace 3, Sophia Sanders
Cal Saves: Isabel Williams 9
UCLA Saves: Lauren Steele 14
Rozanne Voorvelt's got her 3rd hat trick of the season!#GoBears ?? pic.twitter.com/2QdtCvYYrS
— Cal W Water Polo (@CalWWPolo) April 28, 2024
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