The UCLA women’s water polo team was narrowly defeated by Stanford in the Barbara Kalbus Invitational championship match, held at Anteater Aquatics Complex in Irvine. The game ended with a score of 8-7 in favor of Stanford.
UCLA, ranked second nationally, nearly erased a four-goal deficit but could not tie the match. Emma Lineback and Bia Mantellato each scored twice for the Bruins, who now hold a 9-1 record. Lauren Steele made 13 saves for UCLA, including eight in the fourth quarter.
Stanford’s Jenna Flynn led her team with three goals while Juliette Dhalluin added two more. Christine Carpenter contributed eight saves to secure the win for Stanford, which remains undefeated at 6-0.
Stanford started strong by scoring the first three goals and almost kept UCLA scoreless in the opening period until Mantellato converted a power-play goal just before time expired. The Cardinal extended their lead to 5-1 early in the second quarter after Flynn completed her hat trick. UCLA responded with goals from Carly McMurray and Anna Pearson, narrowing the gap before halftime. Dhalluin’s penalty shot set the halftime score at 6-3.
Lineback scored on another extra-player opportunity to open the third quarter for UCLA. Mantellato then brought her tournament total to ten goals and reduced Stanford’s lead to one. After Dhalluin restored a two-goal advantage for Stanford, Katherine O’Dea answered back for UCLA. Lucy Haaland Ford scored late in the third quarter to give Stanford an 8-6 edge entering the final period.
Lineback again opened scoring in the fourth quarter, but no further goals were recorded as both teams’ goalkeepers made key stops down the stretch. With less than a minute remaining, UCLA called timeout to set up their last offensive play; however, Taylor Smith’s attempt did not result in a goal.
UCLA will next face No. 4 California on Saturday, February 21 at Spieker Aquatics Complex in Berkeley. This matchup also marks both teams’ Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) opener and is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. PT.
