BERKELEY – Julia Bonaguidi netted a career-high four goals and Talia Fonseca had a career-best 14 saves as the No. 5 California women's water polo team earned an 18-14 win over No. 14 Arizona State at Legends Aquatic Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Golden Bears (16-3, 3-2 MPSF) got ahead early and held on late for their third straight victory and first at home since Feb. 15. The loss dropped the Sun Devils to 17-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
 
Bonaguidi's four-goal effort highlighted the Bears' balanced attack, which included nine total goal-scorers and hat tricks by Ruby Swadling and Rozanne Voorvelt.
 
Cal found the back of the net six times in each of the first two quarters and led 12-7 at halftime.
 
The Sun Devils made it interesting in the third frame as they outscored Cal 6-3 and made it a two-goal game. The Bears' lead dwindled to just one with 2:41 remaining in the third period when Itziar Almeda scored her third straight goal – she led all players with six on the day – to make it a 14-13 contest. ASU had a chance to tie it with a 6-on-5 opportunity less than a minute later, but Fonseca came up with arguably her biggest save of the afternoon on a shot by Ani Pamp. Voorvelt then scored on an assist by Bonaguidi with 30 seconds left in the period to make it a two-goal advantage for the Bears.
 
Cal clamped down defensively the rest of the way, outscoring ASU 3-1 with Fonseca notching five saves in the final quarter.
 
No. 5 California 18, No. 14 Arizona State 14
Cal 6 6 3 3
ASU 4 3 6 1
Cal Goals: Julia Bonaguidi 4, Ruby Swadling 3, Rozanne Voorvelt 3, Elena Flynn 2, Feline Voordouw 2, Miriam Bogachenko 1, Abbi Magee 1, Jessie Rose 1, Claire Rowell 1
Arizona State Goals: Itziar Almeda 6, Millie Quin 3, Molly Glad 2, Sophie Shorter-Robinson 2, Zoe Frangieh 1
Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 14
Arizona State Saves: Keri Glad 8
 
UP NEXT
The Bears' home stand continues April 13 when they host UC Irvine at 1 p.m. PT at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
 
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