Courtesy: Stanford Athletics
STANFORD – The No. 2 California women’s water polo team improved to 5-0 for the third time in the last four years with Saturday morning’s 12-5 win over No. 16 Pacific, but had its undefeated start ended in a rainy, late-evening matchup against the Stanford Invitational host No. 6 Cardinal.
Maryn Dempsey led the Golden Bears (5-1) with four goals on the day, while goalkeeper Isabel Williams shined once again with 24 more saves.
No. 2 California 12, No. 16 Pacific 5
The Bears held the lead for nearly 30 minutes in their morning game against the Tigers (1-1), thanks to a strong start by Cal’s freshmen. Julianne Snyder opened the scoring with a transition goal less than two minutes in. Feline Voordouw and Julia Bonaguidi made it 3-1 with counter attack goals of their own to end the opening period. Voordouw added her second of the day on the first possession of the second quarter.
Cal’s veterans pushed the lead to 7-2 at halftime, as Rozanne Voorvelt, Mallory Reynoso and Maryn Dempsey scored three unanswered goals before the break. Dempsey opened the second half with another goal and Jessie Rose put Cal up 9-2 one possession later. Voordouw sealed her second straight hat trick on a power play a few minutes later.
Williams ended the game with nine saves and two assists. It was the second time already this year that the Bears held a team to five goals or fewer.
Cal 3 4 3 2 – 12
UOP 1 1 3 0 – 5
Cal Goals: Feline Voordouw 3, Maryn Dempsey 2, Mallory Reynoso, Naive Courtney, Rozanne Voorvelt, Julianne Snyder, Jessie Rose, Abbi Magee
UOP Goals: Dora Alaksza 3, Hila Futorian, Hailey Williams
Cal Saves: Isabel Williams 9
UOP Saves: Maja Lizy Dulic 5
No. 6 Stanford 8, No. 2 California 6 (OT)
After over six hours of waiting between games, the Bears were back in the pool to face the rival Cardinal for the first time this year under torrential rain conditions.
Stanford got out to a 2-0 lead through one. Redshirt junior Elena Flynn put away two big 6-on-5 goals for the Bears in the second as they headed into halftime trailing 3-2.
After falling behind by two goals again early in the third, Cal’s offense began to click. Dempsey found Voorvelt for a quick strike in center on a power play to cut the lead back to one. A spectacular solo effort by Dempsey on the following play saw her come away with a steal before driving down the left side, spinning and firing a shot into the far post to tie it 4-4.
Cal wasn’t done yet. Two minutes later, Reagan Whitney converted another 6-on-5 opportunity to cap a 3-0 run and give the Bears their first lead, 5-4.
Trailing 6-5 with less than two minutes to go in regulation, Dempsey was in the right spot to reel in a rebound off the crossbar and equalize in the clutch. Stanford earned a five-meter penalty on the next play, but Williams made a miraculous fingertip save with her body moving in the opposite direction of the shot.
Unfortunately for the Bears, their offense came up empty in overtime, while Stanford converted two quick goals to seal the win.
Cal 0 2 3 1 0 0 – 6
Stan 2 1 2 1 2 0 – 8
Cal Goals: Maryn Dempsey 2, Elena Flynn 2, Rozanne Voorvelt, Reagan Whitney
Stan Goals: Sophia Sanders 4, Christina Hicks, Maggie Hawkins, Kamryn Barone, Sophie Wallace
Cal Saves: Isabel Williams 15
Stan Saves: Maya Avital 15
Cal 6, Stanford 6
4Q | :39Maryn Dempsey equalizes on a clutch rebound score and Isabel Williams stops the penalty to keep it tied!
Timeout, Stanford ball with under 40 to go.
📺 https://t.co/4JX60yiIpD
🐻 #GoBears pic.twitter.com/lqSINiuYSE— Cal W Water Polo (@CalWWPolo) February 4, 2024
Next Up
The Bears will have a weekend off before heading back on the road to face UC Davis for the third time this season on Feb. 17.
