INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The California women's water polo team dropped a close game to fourth-seeded Hawaii in the 2025 NCAA Championship quarterfinals Friday afternoon at the IU Natatorium.
 
The Golden Bears made a huge comeback in the third quarter to take a one-goal lead heading into the final eight minutes, but the Rainbow Wahine edged Cal, 8-7, in the end. Hawaii (22-4) advances to face top-seeded Stanford in the NCAA Championship semifinals on Saturday, while Cal's season came to an end.
 
The Bears fell behind early in the first quarter, allowing three goals and failing to net any of their own through the first eight minutes. Hawaii struck again with the first goal of the second quarter to establish a 4-0 advantage, but Cal's offense came alive with a critical three-goal run. Miriam Bogachenko led the charge with the Bears' first goal before Rosalie Hassett and Eszter Varro each took a turn at lighting up the scoreboard. Hawaii scored once more to take a 5-3 advantage into halftime.
 
Cal came back from the break firing on all cylinders for a massive third-quarter performance. Varro netted back-to-back goals and Rozanne Voorvelt added one more with 3:59 left to give the Bears their first lead of the contest. Goalkeeper Talia Fonseca had a pair of huge blocks in the final two minutes of the period to deny Hawaii, and Cal maintained a 6-5 lead at the end of the frame.
 
Hawaii retook the advantage off a penalty goal two minutes into the fourth quarter and netted one more with just over four minutes of play left in the game. Cal stayed on the hunt and Bogachenko scored her second of the day with nine seconds left in regulation to make it a one-score game, but time expired with Hawaii on top.
 
Cal finished its 2025 season 19-6 overall.
 
Cal 0 3 3 1
Hawaii 3 2 0 3
Cal Goals: Varro 3, Bogachenko 2, Voorvelt 1, Hassett 1
Hawaii Goals: Doyle 2, Burlock 2, Vernoux 2, Wedderburn 2
Cal Saves: Fonseca 9
Hawaii Saves: Logtens 12
 
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