No. 4 Bears Edged By No. 1 UCLA In MPSF Semifinals

WPOLO4/26/2025 3:45 PM | By: Cal Athletics

Cal To Face No. 2 USC In Sunday’s Third Place Game

LOS ANGELES – Sophomore Julia Bonaguidi tied a career-high with four goals and the No. 4 California women’s water polo team had the ball and a chance to tie in the final seconds but ultimately fell 15-14 to No. 1 UCLA on Saturday in the semifinals of the MPSF Tournament.

Sophomore Feline Voordouw and freshman Miriam Bogachenko added three goals apiece for the Golden Bears (18-5), who meet No. 2 USC in Sunday’s Third Place Game at UCLA’s Spieker Aquatic Center.

The teams spent the first quarter exchanging goals before Cal established a 7-4 lead with just over three minutes left in the half. The Bruins responded by scoring five of the final six goals of the second period to lead 9-8 at the break.

UCLA carried the momentum over into the second half and led 13-10 with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter, but the Bears responded. Bogachenko scored with three seconds left in the period and Voordouw added another to cut the deficit to 13-12 with 5:35 to play. The Bruins still led 15-13 before Bonaguidi converted to trim the lead to a single goal with 56 seconds left. Cal forced a turnover on UCLA’s ensuing possession and called a timeout with 26 seconds remaining but couldn’t find the equalizer on its final possession and the Bruins held on.

Saturday marked the third time in the Bears’ past five games that Bonaguidi has registered four goals. She’s scored 15 goals during that span.

Senior Ruby Swadling added four assists and two steals for Cal.

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No. 1 UCLA 15, No. 4 California 14

Cal 2 6 3 3 – 14

UCLA 3 6 4 2 – 15

Cal Goals: Julia Bonaguidi 4, Miriam Bogachenko 3, Feline Voordouw 3, Elena Flynn 2, Ruby Swadling, Abbi Magee.

UCLA Goals: Bia Mantellato 4, Taylor Smith 4, Molly Renner 2, Genoa Rossi 2, Anna Pearson 2, Emma Lineback.

Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 5.

UCLA Saves: Lauren Steele 18.