WPOLO3/9/2025 3:16 PM | By: Cal Athletics
Bogachenko Leads Bears Over LMU
Freshman Led All Players With 6 Goals
LOS ANGELES – The No. 4 California women's water polo team scored at least four times in every quarter Sunday at No. 12 Loyola Marymount, earning an 18-12 win to improve to 13-2 on the season.
Miriam Bogachenko continued her red hot stretch on offense with a game high six goals. The freshman has now scored in five straight games, totaling 12 goals over that span. Goalkeeper Talia Fonseca tallied 10 saves for the second straight game and third time this year.
Elena Flynn kicked off a strong opening period for the Golden Bears, scoring off a pass from Rosalie Hassett in the opening minutes. Following Bogachenko's first goal of the day, Abbi Magee struck on back-to-back plays to give Cal a 4-1 edge through one.
As LMU (12-11) crept back into the game, Flynn scored again and assisted Bogachenko on one of her two second-quarter goals. In the closing seconds of the half, Ruby Swadling intercepted a pass and sent it ahead to Bogachenko on a breakaway to give the Bears an 8-4 lead at halftime.
Four different Bears scored in the third period, with Julia Bonaguidi contributing both a goal and an assist to help Cal pull away. Claire Rowell ended the quarter with her lone goal of the day on one of Hassett's three assists.
Cal's offense continued to fire on all cylinders over the final eight minutes, scoring six more times. Bogachenko played a part in four of the Bears' six fourth-quarter goals, picking up an assist on a Holly Dunn goal and securing her sixth of the game on a five-meter penalty with 1:04 remaining.
Following their 13th win through 15 games, the Bears will have one week off before returning home to host No. 2 USC on Saturday, Mar. 22 at 1 p.m. PT.
Cal 4 4 4 6 – 18
LMU 1 3 2 6 – 12
Cal Goals: Bogachenko 6, Bonaguidi 2, Swadling 2, Flynn 2, Magee 2, Rowell, Varró, Voorvelt, Dunn
LMU Goals: Gerber 4, Magano 2, Nankervis, Tarantino, Lopez, Arino Ruiz, Enright, DeMattia
Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 10, Elaia Hamilton 2
LMU Saves: Alyssa Barnuevo 5
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