LOS ANGELES – Fourth-seeded California advanced through the MPSF Women's Water Polo Championship quarterfinals with a stifling 15-7 win over No. 5 seed San Jose State on Friday afternoon at UCLA's Spieker Aquatics Center.
 
Cal (18-4) completed the season sweep of the Spartans (13-12) with its fourth win in the head-to-head series this year and will now face host and top-seeded UCLA (18-4) in the semifinals at 12:45 p.m. PT Saturday.
 
The Golden Bears' defense kept San Jose State at bay throughout the match, limiting the Spartans to a 1-of-8 effort in 6-on-5 opportunities. Talia Fonseca came up with seven saves, two steals and added a pair of assists.
 
Junior Abbi Magee netted a hat trick to lead the Bears in scoring, but it was a trio of freshmen in Miriam Bogachenko, Eszter Varró and Holly Dunn who collectively set the tone offensively with two goals apiece. Nine total Bears scored in yet another balanced attack.
 
San Jose State got on the scoreboard first before Cal responded with four unanswered goals in the first period, including three from Bogachenko (two) and Varró. Fonseca, a redshirt freshman, halted two shots in the first period and came up big yet again before halftime with a penalty-shot save that kept Cal's lead at 6-2.
 
The Bears entered halftime with a 7-3 advantage and stretched their lead to six goals by the end of the third period (11-5).
 
Back-to-back goals by the Spartans within a 35-second span early in the fourth quarter cut Cal's lead to five, but scores from Julia Bonaguidi, Dunn and Kate Meyer over the final four minutes put the contest away.
 
No. 4 California 15, No. 14 San Jose State 7
Cal 4 3 4 4
SJSU 1 2 2 2
Cal Goals: Abbi Magee 3, Miriam Bogachenko 2, Holly Dunn 2, Eszter Varro 2, Julia Bonaguidi 2, Lindsey Harris, Elena Flynn, Kate Meyer, Ruby Swadling
San Jose State Goals: Darcy Spark 4, Jennine Osorlo, Bridget Cranley, Rose Jensen
Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 7
San Jose State Saves: Grace Smith 6
 
UP NEXT
Cal will look to advance to the MPSF Championship title match for the second straight season with a win against top-ranked UCLA on Saturday afternoon. UCLA topped the Bears 12-7 in their lone meeting this season on March 8 in Los Angeles.
 
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