Jan. 22, 2012

SAN JOSE, CALIF. -

Bolstered by two goals apiece from senior Elizabeth McLaren and junior Dana Ochsner, the No. 2-ranked Cal women's water polo team powered to an 11-7 victory over No. 17-ranked UC Santa Barbara Sunday (Jan. 22) in its final game of the Spartan Invitational in San Jose.

The Golden Bears finished the season-opening invitational 4-0, defeating Pacific, 9-4, earlier Sunday. On Saturday, Cal had topped Santa Clara (16-6) and UC Davis (13-5) to conclude its weekend in San Jose outscoring its opponents, 49-22.

For the tournament, 14 different Cal players scored, led by seven goals apiece from junior Kirstn Mase and sophomore Kelly Mendoza.

Against the Gauchos, the Bears also received single goals from seven other players - senior Jessica Robinson; juniors Breda Vosters and Kirstn Mase; sophomores Ashley Young and Kelly Mendoza; and freshmen Chris Baker and Tiera Schroeder. Junior goalie Lindsay Dorst finished with seven saves.

Cal held a tight 5-3 advantage at halftime, but pulled away in the third period by outscoring UC Santa Barbara, 4-1, to take a 9-4 lead before finally winning, 11-7.

In the Sunday morning win over Pacific, Mendoza and freshman Marisa Purcell each scored two goals and five other Bears scored single goals.

Cal held a 3-2 lead over Pacific after the first period on goals by Vosters, Remington Price and Mendoza. The Bears then controlled to contest by shutting out the Tigers, 2-0, in the second period behind another goal from Mendoza and a score by junior All-American Ochsner.

Cal increased its advantage to 8-3 after three periods on scores from sophomore Emily Turner and freshmen Purcell and Tiera Schroeder. Purcell gave the Bears their ninth goal with a score with 25 seconds left in the match in the fourth period.

Cal will next be hosting the eight-team California Speedo Invitational, Jan. 27-28 at Spieker Aquatics Complex. There will be 11 matches during the Speedo Invitational with no tournament champion. Click here for the tournament schedule 2012 California Speedo Cup Tournament

Cal had a stellar season in 2011 with 26-5 record and coach Richard Corso was named the 2011 MPSF Coach of the Year when he led Cal to the 2011 MPSF Tournament title with a 7-6 win over UCLA and a national runner-up finish at the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

UC Santa Barbara 1 2 1 3 - 7

California 2 3 4 2 - 11

California Goals: Dana Ochsner 2, Elizabeth McLaren 2, Jessica Robinson, Ashley Young, Breda Vosters, Kelly Mendoza, Kirstn Mase, Chris Baker, Tiera Schroeder

California Saves: Lindsay Dorst 7

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Pacific 2 0 1 1 - 4

California 3 2 3 1 - 9

California Goals: Kelly Mendoza 2, Marisa Purcell 2, Breda Vosters, Emily Turner, Tiera Schroeder, Remington Price, Dana Ochsner

California Saves: Lindsay Dorst 1 (first period), Savanna Smith 0 (second, third periods), Briana Lippert 1 (fourth period)