UCLA
California
No. 2 UCLA Blasts No. 8 California, 11-5
March 07, 2020 | Women's Water Polo
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BERKELEY, Calif. --ย No. 2 UCLA (18-2, 2-0 MPSF) shook off a slow start to run away with an 11-5 win at No. 8 Californiaย (11-6, 0-1) in the Bruins' first game in 12 days on Saturday afternoon at Spiekerย Aquatics Complex. The Bruins improved to 59-13 all-time against the Golden Bears.
Four different Bruins scored a game-high-tying two goals, which included sophomores Val Ayala,ย Ava Johnson, and Katrina Drake, and junior Roxy Wheaton. Redshirtย freshman Georgia Phillipsย got the start in the cage for the Bruins and playedย the entire game, tallying 12ย saves while allowing five goals.
The two teams battled to a 2-2 tie in the first period with the Bruins getting goals from Drake (7:02, two meters) and freshman Abbi Hill (0:00, penalty).
UCLA asserted its dominance in the second quarter, winning the period 3-1. Junior Lexi Liebowitzย opened the scoring in the second with a power play goal (5:49), followed by another power play goal from Johnson (3:50). Then Wheaton scored the fourth-straight goal for the Bruins on a 6-on-5 opportunity (1:09) to push the lead to 5-2. Cal's Cecily Turner scored from the front court (0:19) to trim the Bruins' lead to 5-3 at the break.
The Bruins' defense pitched a shutout in the third period with Johnson (3:18, two meters) and Wheaton (1:00, front court) netting their second goals of the game to give the Bruins a 7-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
UCLA won the fourth quarter, 4-2, to put the game away. Ayala scored twice in the period (4:58 and 1:42) with Drake getting her second of the game (3:49). Freshman Hannah Palmer scored from the front court (2:53) to help provide the 11-5 final.
UCLAย returns to action on Sunday, March 8 at 1:00 p.m. PT when they play at No. 23 Pacific.
No. 2 UCLA at No. 8 California (Game 20 - MPSFย Game)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| No. 2 UCLA | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 11 |
| No. 8 CAL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
6x5 -ย UCLA - 4/7 - CAL - 0/10
Penalties -ย UCLA - 1/1 - CAL - 0/0
UCLA Goals:ย Val Ayala 2, Ava Johnson 2, Katrina Drake 2, Roxy Wheaton 2, Abbi Hill 1, Hannah Palmer 1, Lexi Liebowitz 1
UCLA Saves:ย Georgia Phillips 12
CAL Goals:ย Brigit Mulder 2, Claire Sonne 2, Cecily Turner 1
CAL Saves:ย Cassidy Ball 7
