No. 2 UCLA women’s water polo defeated No. 4 California 19-18 in an overtime match at the Spieker Aquatics Complex on Saturday. This contest marked the opening game of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) schedule for both teams.
Taylor Smith scored the decisive goal with less than two minutes left in the second overtime period, capping a four-goal performance. Bia Mantellato also contributed four goals for UCLA, while Genoa Rossi added three. Emma Lineback and Elektra Urbatsch each scored twice. Joey Niz recorded seven saves during the fourth quarter and overtime.
For California, Maria Bogachenko led all scorers with five goals.
The first quarter saw both teams scoring quickly, with UCLA taking its first lead at 3-2 after a goal from Smith. California responded but UCLA regained momentum, ending the period ahead 6-5 after a last-second goal from Cal narrowed the gap.
In the second quarter, both teams continued to exchange goals before California put together a three-goal run late in the frame. Rossi ended that streak for UCLA, but Cal finished the half leading 11-9.
California extended its advantage to three goals twice early in the third quarter, but UCLA tied it up following scores by Tali Stryker, Carly McMurray and Mantellato. Cal held a narrow lead going into the fourth quarter at 15-14.
Urbatsch started off scoring in the final period of regulation, though California regained a two-goal lead at 17-15 midway through the fourth. Niz limited Cal’s offense for the rest of regulation as Smith scored twice—including tying it up with just 28 seconds left—sending the game into overtime.
Rossi and Julia Bonguidi found the net for their respective teams during the first overtime period. In double overtime, Niz blocked a penalty shot by Bogachenko before Smith delivered what proved to be the winning goal with under two minutes remaining.
UCLA returns home to face Indiana on Friday, Feb. 27 at Spieker Aquatics Center; play is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. PT.
