BERKELEY, CALIF. — The No. 1 USC women’s water polo team created some space late in the game to beat No. 6 California 12-9 today in Berkeley in the second straight MPSF battle between the two teams. Verica Bakoc shouldered the scoring load for the Trojans, punching up a career-high seven goal — third most in a single game by a Trojan — to keep USC on track to victory. USC stays undefeated on the year with the win, going to 8-0 overall and to 2-0 in MPSF play.
A tight first half saw the score tied four times as Cal kept reeling in the Trojans, who led by two on a goal from Maud Megens to start the second before Cal crept right back. It was tangled up at 6-6 by halftime when the Bears converted on a 5-meter penalty shot. Cal took its first lead with a goal to open the second half, only to see the Trojans rattle off three straight scores. Bakoc knocked in two of those, with Kelsey McIntosh striking as well to move ahead 9-7. It was a one-goal game entering the fourth, prompting Bakoc to pour out three more goals for the Trojan cause while Cal managed just one as USC topped off a 12-9 win with Bakoc’s seventh of the day.
Next up for the Trojans is an MPSF home stand against San José State next weekend. On Saturday (March 27), USC and the Spartans face off at 1 p.m., and on Sunday (March 28) the two squads square off at 11 a.m. — all at USC’s Uytengsu Aquatics Center.
#1 USC 12, #6 California 9
March 21, 2021 | Spieker Aquatics Complex (Berkeley, Calif.)
BERKELEY – Senior All-American Brigit Mulder scored four goals and the No. 6 Cal women’s water polo team handed No. 1 USC its first second-half deficit of the season, but the Trojans ultimately prevailed 12-9 in an MPSF showdown at Spieker Aquatics Complex on Sunday.
A day after falling behind early in a 17-11 loss to USC, the Bears (5-4, 0-4 MPSF) stayed even with the Trojans throughout most of the contest. The score was tied at 6-6 at halftime and USC led 9-8 at the end of the third quarter. But after Mulder’s final score of the day brought Cal to within one with 1:10 left in the third quarter, the Bears didn’t score again until there was less than a minute to play in the game to cut the Trojans’ lead to 11-9. USC added a goal with one second left to finish out the scoring.
Senior All-American Claire Sonne scored on a lob with 6:20 remaining in the third quarter to put Cal in front 7-6, the first time this season the Trojans have trailed other than the opening moments of a game. But USC answered with three goals in succession to go back in front.
Verica Bakoc scored seven goals for the Trojans, matching the season-high in the conference this season.
Senior All-American goalie Cassidy Ball made 11 saves for Cal while sophomore Cecily Turner had a goal, two assists and two steals.
The Bears’ first four MPSF games this season have come against the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation. Cal has a bye next week before returning to Spieker Aquatics Complex on April 3-4 to host No. 4 Arizona State.
