No. 3 Bears Split Pair At UC Irvine Invitational

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Leading scorer Carla Carrega netted five more goals as the third-ranked Cal women's water polo team split its first two games at the UC Irvine Invitational on Saturday at Corona del Mar High School.

Carrega, who entered the day ranked third in the MPSF in scoring at 2.21 goals per game and second in total goals with 31, scored three in an 8-4 victory over No. 17 UC Santa Barbara. She added two more as the Bears fell to No. 6 Hawaii, 7-6.

Cal's record now stands at 14-2, with its only two losses coming to Hawaii – each by one goal.

Junior Genevieve Weed continued her emergence this season with three goals against the Gauchos while adding one more against the Rainbow Wahine. Weed now has 18 goals on the season after scoring eight during her first two years combined.

The Bears dominated the game against UCSB, leading 8-1 with 3:12 remaining before the Gauchos scored a trio of late goals to make it a bit closer.

In the game against Hawaii, the Rainbow Wahine scored the first two goals but Cal answered with two of its own. After Hawaii took a 3-2 lead, the Bears got goals from Carrega and junior Emily Loughlin to take their first lead of the game. The Rainbow Wahine then answered with two of their own and never trailed again, although the Bears twice tied it before Hawaii scored the ultimate game-winner with just over four minutes remaining.

Cal resumes play at the UC Irvine Invitational on Sunday against No. 7 Michigan at 9:15 a.m. The Bears then will either play for 5^th or 7^th place later in the day.

No. 3 Cal 8, No. 17 UC Santa Barbara 4

Cal 2 2 2 2 – 8

UCSB 0 1 0 3 – 4

Cal Goals: Carla Carrega 3, Genevieve Weed 3, Pippa Saunders, Sierra Smiley

UCSB Goals: Lauren Martin, Miranda Schrader, Camila Schafer, Bryn Hudson.

Cal Saves: Madison Tagg 5, Madeline Trabucco 3.

UCSB Saves: Mackenzie Brokaw 8.

No. 6 Hawaii 7, No. 3 Cal 6

Cal 1 3 0 2 – 6

Haw 2 1 2 2 – 7

Cal Goals: Carla Carrega 2, Molly Quinn, Emily Loughlin, Pippa Saunders, Genevieve Weed.

Hawaii Goals: Femke Aan 3, Irene Gonzalez 3, Erika Pauley 2.