Women's Water Polo Edges Cal in MPSF Opener

Saturday, February 21

Berkeley, Calif.

1:00 PM (PT)

UCLA

No. 4 California

Joey Niz (Photo: Steve Urbatsch)

Women's Water Polo Edges Cal in MPSF Opener

February 21, 2026 | Women's Water Polo

BERKELEY, Calif. – No. 2 UCLA women's water polo beat No. 4 California 19-18 in an overtime thriller Saturday at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The game represented both teams' MPSF opener.

Taylor Smith provided the game-winning goal with 1:46 remaining in the second overtime period. She scored four times in total. Bia Mantellato added four goals of her own for the Bruins (10-1, 1-0 MPSF). Genoa Rossi also had a hat trick. Emma Lineback and Elektra Urbatsch added two apiece. Joey Niz piled up seven saves across the fourth quarter and overtime. The Golden Bears (8-3, 0-1) were paced by Maria Bogachenko's five goals.

Goals came early and often in the first quarter, with each side scoring once in the opening minute. UCLA took its initial lead when Smith found the back of the net for 3-2 at 4:32. Cal followed with the next two, but the Bruins answered by taking the subsequent three and a two-goal lead. UCLA took a 6-5 lead into the second after a last-second Golden Bear goal. Emma Lineback scored twice in the first quarter. She was supported by Smith, Genoa Rossi, Elektra Urbatsch and Jojo Walters.

The teams continued to trade goals in the second before Cal went on a three-goal run over 3:12 late. Rossi snapped the spree before the Golden Bears added another to take an 11-9 lead into the break. The frame saw Rossi, Bia Mantellato and Anna Pearson score for the Bruins.

Cal established three-goal leads at 12-9 (7:44) and 13-10 (5:30) in the third. UCLA responded emphatically, with Tali Stryker, Carly McMurray and Mantellato scoring in order to tie it up. The Golden Bears again tallied a late goal and took a 15-14 lead into the fourth. Mantellato scored three of her goals in the quarter.

Urbatsch registered her second goal to start the final eight minutes of regulation, but Cal managed to move back ahead at 17-15 (5:25). That was all Niz would give up in the fourth, though, and Smith scored scored twice – including the tying goal with 28 seconds remaining – to send the game to overtime.

Rossi and Julia Bonguidi each scored in the first overtime period. The second saw Niz stop a Bogachaneko penalty shot at 2:14 and Smith provided the game winner at 1:46. Niz recorded one more save in the closing moments.

The Bruins return home Friday, Feb. 27 to face Indiana. Play from Spieker Aquatics Center begins at 1 p.m. PT.

No. 2 UCLA at No. 4 California

SCOREBOARD	1	2	3	4	OT1	OT2	FINAL
No. 2 UCLA	6	3	5	3	1	1	19
No. 4 California	5	6	4	2	1	0	18

6x5: UCLA – 5/10, Cal – 6/10
Penalties: UCLA - 0/0, Cal – 0/1

UCLA Goals: Bia Mantellato 4, Taylor Smith 4, Genoa Rossi 3, Emma Lineback 2, Elektra Urbatsch 2, Carly McMurray 1, Anna Pearson 1, Tali Stryker 1, Jojo Walters 1
UCLA Saves: Joey Niz 7, Lauren Steele 3

Cal Goals: Maria Bogachenko 5, Despoina Drakotou 3, Holly Dunn 2, Eszter Varro 2, Feline Voordouw 2, Julia Bonaguidi 1, Rosalie Hassett 1, Abbi Magee 1, Harper Price 1
Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 8