LOS ANGELES – For the second straight game at the MPSF Championships, the No. 5 Cal women's water polo team had a fourth-quarter lead against one of the nation's top teams. But the Bears once again came up just a bit short in an 8-6 loss to No. 3 USC in the Third Place Game at UCLA's Spieker Aquatics Center.

As she did Saturday in a 9-8 loss to No. 1 USC, freshman Emma Wright gave the Bears a late lead when her goal with 4:30 to play put Cal in front, 6-5. But the Trojans scored the game's final three goals to pull out the victory.

The teams spent the first half exchanging goals and it was 3-3 at halftime. USC scored the only two goals of the third quarter to lead 5-3, but the Bears then scored three in a row on goals by senior Stephanie Mutafyan, junior Anna Illes and Wright.

Illes finished with three goals for the Bears (15-9) and senior goalie Madeline Trabucco registered six saves.

The Bears will now wait to find out their NCAA Championships fate. The NCAA Selection Show is scheduled for 4 p.m. (PT) on Monday and airs on NCAA.com.
 

No. 3 USC 8, No. 5 Cal 6
Cal 2 1 0 3 - 6
USC 2 1 2 3 - 8
Cal Goals: Anna Illes 3, Stephanie Mutafyan, Anna Illes, Emma Wright.
USC Goals: Stephania Haralabidis 3, Brianna DaBoub 2, Maud Megens, Brigitta Games, Ioanna Haralabidis.
Cal Saves: Madeline Trabucco 6.
USC Saves: Amanda  Longan 14.