WPOLO3/22/2025 4:52 PM | By: Cal Athletics
Bears Handed First Home Loss
Bonaguidi Notches 2nd Hat Trick Of 2025
BERKELEY – The No. 5 California women's water polo team was defeated at home for the first time this season on Saturday at Legends Aquatic Center, falling to No. 2 USC 13-8.
It was another effective opening eight minutes for the Golden Bears (13-3, 1-2), who outscored their opponent in the first quarter for the 14th time in 17 games. Sophomore Julia Bonaguidi will led Cal with three goals for her second hat trick of the season.
Cal took advantage of an early power play, moving it around to senior Ruby Swadling who slotted in her first shot attempt from the left wing to open the scoring. Swadling and Bonaguidi both connected from long distance later in the quarter, giving the Bears an early 3-1 advantage and a 3-2 lead after one. However, Cal's offense would stall over the next two periods.
Despite another Bonaguidi strike midway through the second, the Trojans (22-1, 2-0) ended the half leading 7-4. Junior Abbi Magee scored on a penalty late in the third as Cal ended the period trailing 9-5.
The Bears' offense bounced back down the stretch with a four-goal fourth quarter as senior Elena Flynn converted a pair of penalties, but Cal wasn't able to cut the lead under four goals the rest of the way.
Flynn also finished with three steals and a block. Swadling had four steals and a pair of blocks to go with her two goals.
Cal will be in Bloomington, Ind. next weekend for a pair of games against Indiana (Mar. 29) and Michigan (Mar. 30) at Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center.
Cal 3 1 1 4 – 9
USC 2 5 2 4 – 13
Cal Goals: Bonaguidi 3, Swadling 2, Flynn 2, Voorvelt, Magee
USC Goals: Netherton 5, Ausmus 3, Yaacobi 2, Stryker, McAninch, Kearns
Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 5
USC Saves: Jada Ward 10
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