BERKELEY – Considering the taxing nature of the game of water polo, the No. 6 Cal women's water polo team's recent travel schedule was nothing compared to what goes on in the pool.

The Bears had to rush to make a flight home from Los Angeles on Friday evening after playing at No. 1 USC, only to turn around and host No. 24 CSU Bakersfield on Saturday.

Cal showed no ill-effects of the whirlwind itinerary, rolling to a 13-3 victory over the Roadrunners on Senior Day at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

“It was tiring for everyone, but you just had to buckle down and do it,” said senior Sierra Smiley, who was honored before the match with Cal's four other seniors and scored a game-high four goals. “That's the sport.”

Junior Emily Loughlin registered a hat trick for the second consecutive day while senior Pippa Saunders and junior Stephanie Mutafyan pitched in with two goals apiece. Senior Brooke Vowell also celebrated the day with her fifth goal in the past seven days.

The win gave the Bears' a final regular season record of 20-8, 2-4 in MPSF play. It marks the third consecutive year Cal has amassed at least 20 wins in a season.

Along with Smiley, Saunders and Vowell, seniors Molly Quinn and goalie Kat Menz were honored for playing their final home games as well.

“There was an abundance of emotion,” Cal coach Richard Corso said. “Everybody had a smile on their face. It was nice to have their families here. They've been a big part of our program over the last four years. We've had a lot of success with those girls, not only in the pool but also academically.”

The Bears led 3-1 at the end of the first quarter and held Bakersfield scoreless in the second period to take a 5-1 halftime lead. The Roadrunners were within 8-3 midway through the third period but Cal scored five unanswered goals to finish off the win.

The Bears will now turn their attention to next weekend's MPSF Championships at CSU Bakersfield. Cal, the No. 5 seed, opens against fourth-seeded Arizona State on Friday at 2:30 p.m. The Sun Devils beat the Bears 7-6 in four overtimes back on April 2 in Tempe. A win in that game would provide a significant boost to Cal's hopes of qualifying for the NCAA Championships.

“I think it was really good we got to play this last game and come off a win,” Smiley said. “We're feeling good right now. Hopefully we'll play well against ASU and see what happens. But it was good to have this game to finish off on a high note.”

No. 6 Cal 13, No. 24 CSU Bakersfield 3

CSUB 1 0 2 0 – 3

Cal 3 2 5 3 – 13

CSUB Goals: Nicola Barrett, Katie Benson, Jada Helberg.

Cal Goals: Sierra Smiley 4, Emily Loughlin 3, Pippa Saunders 2, Stephanie Mutafyan 2, Kindred Paul, Brooke Vowell.

CSUB Saves: Courtney Wahlstrom 5.

Cal Saves: Madison Tagg 6, Kat Menz 1.