LOS ANGELES – Despite an early three-goal lead, the No. 4 California women's water polo team was handed its second loss of the year on Saturday, falling to No. 3 UCLA 12-7 on the road.

Senior Ruby Swadling notched her team-leading eighth hat trick of the year after putting away two of her three goals in the first quarter. It was the third straight time Swadling has led the Golden Bears (12-2, 1-1) in scoring and the seventh time this season.

After conceding the game's opening goal, Cal fired back with some inspiring offense early in the match, reeling off three unanswered goals in less than two minutes. Redshirt junior Janna Tauscher assisted on two straight goals by Swadling and freshman Rosalie Hassett. Swadling then came away with a steal that led to her second goal, putting Cal ahead 3-1 at the 5:03 mark of the first.

Following another UCLA (12-3, 2-0) goal, Swadling earned a power play for the Bears, leading to a 6-on-5 strike from freshman Ester Varró off the feed from senior Elena Flynn. Cal led 4-2 after one.

The Bears carried their early momentum into the second and Hassett doubled her scoring total with 6:41 to go in the half thanks to an Abbi Magee assist, giving the visitors a 5-2 advantage. However, the Bears' offense would be slowed down from there as the Bruins embarked on a 3-0 run to close out the half tied 5-5.

Hassett drew a penalty for the Bears midway through the third quarter and freshman Miriam Bogachenko sunk her 15th goal of the year, extending her scoring streak to four games. Swadling later scored for the final time in the last minute of the game after drawing her game-high third power play of the day.

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Talia Fonseca tied a season-high with 10 saves and sophomore Julianne Snyder matched Tauscher for team-high honors with two assists. 

Cal will be back in action Sunday at 1 p.m. PT to face No. 12 Loyola Marymount, wrapping up a stretch of seven straight games on the road.

Cal 4 1 1 1 – 7
UCLA 2 3 5 2 – 12
Cal Goals: Swadling 3, Hassett 2, Varró, Bogachenko
UCLA Goals: Smith 4, Lineback 4, Renner 2, McMurray, Pearson
Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 10
UCLA Saves: Lauren Steele 16

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