Courtesy: Cal Athletics
BERKELEY – The No. 5 California women’s water polo team showcased the present and the future in its statement-making 20-10 victory over No. 7 UC Irvine on Sunday at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
The Golden Bears’ six seniors – who were each honored in a postgame ceremony to celebrate Senior Day – combined for 10 goals while sophomore Julia Bonaguidi led the way with four goals and sophomore Abbi Magee added three.
Cal (17-3) recorded its most lopsided victory ever in the 28 all-time meetings with the Anteaters.
Janna Tauscher led the senior effort with a hat trick of her own while Ruby Swadling, Elena Flynn and Claire Rowell each had two goals apiece. Swadling also registered three assists and three steals
The Bears set the tone from the outset, getting goals from Swadling, senior Rozanne Voorvelt and Rowell to lead 3-0 midway through the first quarter. After Cal extended to a 5-1 advantage, UC Irvine scored three unanswered goals to cut it to 5-4 early in the second. The Anteaters were still as close as 7-5 before the Bears took command with six goals in a row to lead 13-5 with 3:04 remaining in the third quarter.
Bonaguidi tied her career-high in scoring, matching the four goals she scored in Cal’s previous game against Arizona State last weekend.
The Bears close out the regular season Friday evening in the Big Splash against No. 2 Stanford at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The opening sprint is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
No. 5 Cal 20, No. 7 UC Irvine 10
UCI 3 2 2 3 – 10
Cal 5 4 6 5 – 20
UC Irvine Goals: Madi O’Hara 3, Libby Alexander 2, Kennedy East 2, Maja Layden, Sara Naulty, Brooke Hourigan.
Cal Goals: Julia Bonaguidi 4, Abbi Magee 3, Janna Tauscher 3, Claire Rowell 2, Ruby Swadling 2, Elena Flynn 2, Kate Meyer, Rozanne Voorvelt, Holly Dunn, Miriam Bogachenko.
UC Irvine Saves: Rachel Kirchner 6.
Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 5, Elaia Hamilton 4.
