BAKERSFIELD – The No. 6 Cal women's water polo team held No. 1 USC to a tie for its lowest offensive output of the season, but the Trojans held on for a 6-5 victory in the semifinals of the MPSF Tournament on Saturday at CSU Bakersfield.

USC, which improved to 22-0, has scored only six goals in a game one other time this season – against Arizona State during the Triton Invitational in February. Two of the Trojans' goals Saturday came on penalty shots. Cal goalie Madeline Trabucco made seven saves while playing the first half.

The game was tied 2-2 after the first period, as Cal senior Pippa Saunders scored twice, including with six seconds left in the quarter. After USC took a 3-2 lead early in the second period, the Bears scored three straight goals to take a 5-3 advantage. Junior Stephanie Mutafyan tied it, Emily Loughlin gave Cal the lead and Mutafyan found the cage again to give the Bears the two-goal lead with 1:28 left before the half.

The Trojans earned a little momentum with a goal with six seconds left in the second quarter to make it 5-4 at halftime.

USC scored two goals during the first three minutes of the third quarter, and that was it for the scoring. Cal has allowed just nine goals in the first two games of the MPSF Tournament.

The Bears (21-9) and UCLA met once during the regular season, with the Bruins winning 4-3 in Berkeley.