UCLA
California
Bruins Bested by Top-Ranked Golden Bears, 5-3
March 10, 2018 | Women's Water Polo
BERKELEY, Calif. โ The No. 4 UCLA women's water polo team fell to No. 1 California, 5-3, in the Bruins' MPSF opener at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Golden Bears scored three third-quarter goals and held the Bruins scoreless over the duration of the second half to ensure the victory.
Devin Grab, Lexi Liebowitz and Lizette Rozeboom scored the UCLA goals, while goalkeeper Carlee Kapana was a force in the cage, registering 12 saves.
Defenses controlled the contest, and that was evident from the opening frame. Anna Illes broke the ice first for the Golden Bears, sneaking one past Kapana for the game's opening score. UCLA's junior goalie turned away four other shots to keep the Bruins within striking distance. With 22 seconds remaining, Lexi Liebowitz pulled the Bruins even to send the game to the second quarter with the score knotted at one apiece. Each score came in a six-on-five situation.
The Bruins pulled ahead for the first time on a backhanded effort by Lizette Rozeboom, whose neutral-strength effort marked the junior's 28th of the season (5:13). The UCLA lead would reach a game-high two when Devin Grab scored on an extra-player attempt as the game neared halftime (1:20). Cal's Kacey Avalos would answer with 44 seconds remaining, though, giving the Golden Bears a pivotal second goal that cut their deficit to one.
Cal would tie the game at three on an Emma Wright penalty shot midway through the third quarter (4:41). Just under a minute later, Carla Carrega would add another for the Golden Bears, who took their first lead since 1-0 (3:42). Illes went on to score the game's final goalโand her second of the afternoonโto cap scoring at 5-3.
Kapana and Madison Tagg traded saves in the final frame, as neither team was able to break through down the stretch.
The Bruins will return to action Sunday, when it pays a visit to No. 8 Pacific. Play from the Chris Kjeldsen Aquatics Complex will begin at 1 p.m.
No. 1 California 5, No. 4 UCLA 3
No. 4 UCLA (1, 2, 0, 0 โ 3)
GOALS: Grab, Liebowitz, Rozeboom โ 1
No. 1 California (1, 1, 3, 0 โ 5)
GOALS: Illes โ 2; Avalos, Carrega, Wright โ 1
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