March 31, 2012

LOS ANGELES, CALIF -

The No. 5-ranked Cal women's water polo team outscored No. 3 USC, 3-1, in the final period, but it was not enough as the Golden Bears fell to the Trojans, 10-7, Saturday (March 31) in an MPSF match at McDonald's Swim Stadium. Senior Elizabeth McLaren and junior Breda Vosters scored two goals apiece for Cal, and junior goalie Lindsay Dorst notched nine saves, including blocking a five-meter penalty shot. The Bears dropped to 16-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while USC improved to 17-3 and 4-1 in league.

Cal had an answer after each of the Trojan's first two scores. Following USC's Dominique Sardo's score on a 6-on-5 advantage, McLaren scored to tie the match at one apiece. And, after a go-ahead lob shot by the Trojan's Nicolina McCall at the close of the first period, Vosters scored on a five-meter penalty shot that evened the score at 2-2 with 6:04 left on the clock in the second period.

But, USC went on a 6-1 run after Vosters' score to take control of the contest. It was the Trojans' sixth straight win.

Besides the two goals apiece from McLaren and Vosters; junior Taylor Dodson, junior Remington Price and freshman Tiera Schroeder also scored for the Bears.

After playing the last three matches on the road, Cal finally returns home when it hosts No. 1-ranked UCLA on Saturday, April 7 at 1 p.m. at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

#3 USC 10, #5 California 7

CAL 1 - 2 - 1 - 3 = 7

USC 2 - 4 - 3 - 1 = 10

SCORING:

CAL -- Elizabeth McLaren 2, Breda Vosters 2, Tiera Schroeder, Taylor Dodson, Remington Price.

USC -- Dominique Sardo 3, Kaleigh Gilchrist 2, Colleen O'Donnell 2, Nicolina McCall, Monica Vavic, Chelsea Silvers.

SAVES: Flora Bolonyai (USC) 10, Morgan Vickers (USC) 1,

Lindsay Dorst (CAL) 9.