BERKELEY – Anchored by a memorable performance by senior goalie Madeline Trabucco, the No. 5 Cal women's water polo team put on a terrific defensive performance against No. 2 USC before coming up short in a 6-3 loss on Senior Day at Spieker Aquatics Complex on Saturday.

Trabucco recorded a career-high 12 saves – including several of the spectacular variety - and the Bears (14-7, 2-4 MPSF) held the Trojans to their lowest scoring output of the season. USC's previous low came in a 12-8 loss to Stanford last weekend. The Trojans entered the game leading the MPSF in scoring at 15.92 goals per game.

Trabucco also moved into fourth place on Cal's all-time saves list with 548 in her career.

Junior Dora Antal also moved into a tie for fourth place on the Bears' all-time scoring list after registering two goals Saturday to give her 189 during her career. She has a team-best 45 on the season.

Trabucco set the defensive tone early, registering high-level saves on each of USC's first two possessions. She made four saves in the first quarter, and Cal, which was playing without three starters, took a 1-0 lead on a goal by junior Anna Illes.

After the Trojans tied it to make it 1-1 at halftime, they scored four unanswered goals to begin the third quarter to take control. But Trabucco continued to excel in goal, making a point-blank save on a shot by USC's Brigitta Games.

Antal scored with 25 seconds left in the third quarter to make it 5-2.

The Bears are now off until the MPSF Tournament, which begins April 28 at UCLA. Cal will enter the tournament as the No. 5 seed and face off against No. 4 Arizona State in the first round in a showdown that should have major implications for the NCAA Championships.

 
No. 2 USC 6, No. 5 Cal 3
USC 0 1 4 1 – 6
Cal 1 0 1 1 – 3
USC Goals: Brigitta Games 2, Ioanna Harabalidis 2, Maud Megens 2.
Cal Goals: Dora Antal 2, Anna Illes.
USC Saves: Amanda Longan 10.
Cal Saves: Madeline Trabucco 12.