UCLA WATER POLO UCLA WATER POLO
LOS ANGELES – No. 4 UCLA (12-3, 2-0 MPSF) rallied to pick up a huge win on Saturday afternoon with a 12-7 victory over No. 5 California (12-2, 1-1 MPSF) at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center in a rematch of the 2024 NCAA Championship game. With their fourth-straight win over the Golden Bears, the Bruins improved to 66-14 in the series history.
Only five Bruins scored against California, paced by a season-high-tying four goals from junior Taylor Smith and redshirt junior Emma Lineback. Smith added two assists to finish with a team-high six points, one ahead of Lineback who added an assist to finish with five points. Senior Molly Renner was the third Bruin to score multiple goals in the win, finishing with two against the Golden Bears.
Steele got the start in the cage and went the distance, tallying 16 saves to go with one assist while allowing just seven goals.
The Golden Bears jumped out to a 3-1 lead and led 4-2 at the end of the first period. But the Bruins rallied and won each of the final three quarters to complete the comeback. UCLA won the second period, 3-1, to tie the game at 5-5 by the break. Then the Bruins used a dominant 5-1 third period to take control of the contest, leading 10-6 heading into the final stanza. UCLA won the fourth period, 2-1, to provide the 12-7 final.
Up Next: The Bruins continue MPSF action tomorrow when they host No. 15 Indiana on Sunday, March 9 at 11:00 a.m. PT at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center.
LOS ANGELES – No. 4 UCLA (12-3, 2-0 MPSF) rallied to pick up a huge win on Saturday afternoon with a 12-7 victory over No. 5 California (12-2, 1-1 MPSF) at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center in a rematch of the 2024 NCAA Championship game. With their fourth-straight win over the Golden Bears, the Bruins improved to 66-14 in the series history.
Only five Bruins scored against California, paced by a season-high-tying four goals from junior Taylor Smith and redshirt junior Emma Lineback. Smith added two assists to finish with a team-high six points, one ahead of Lineback who added an assist to finish with five points. Senior Molly Renner was the third Bruin to score multiple goals in the win, finishing with two against the Golden Bears.
Steele got the start in the cage and went the distance, tallying 16 saves to go with one assist while allowing just seven goals.
The Golden Bears jumped out to a 3-1 lead and led 4-2 at the end of the first period. But the Bruins rallied and won each of the final three quarters to complete the comeback. UCLA won the second period, 3-1, to tie the game at 5-5 by the break. Then the Bruins used a dominant 5-1 third period to take control of the contest, leading 10-6 heading into the final stanza. UCLA won the fourth period, 2-1, to provide the 12-7 final.
Up Next: The Bruins continue MPSF action tomorrow when they host No. 15 Indiana on Sunday, March 9 at 11:00 a.m. PT at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center.
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| No. 5 California | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| No. 4 UCLA | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 12 |
6x5 - UCLA - 4/8 - CAL - 2/8
Penalties - UCLA - 0/1 - CAL - 1/2
CAL Goals: Ruby Swadling 3, Rosalie Hassett 2, Eszter Varro 1, Miriam Bogachenko 1
CAL Saves: Talia Fonseca 10
UCLA Goals: Taylor Smith 4, Emma Lineback 4, Molly Renner 2, Carly McMurray 1, Anna Pearson 1
UCLA Saves: Lauren Steele 16