INDIANAPOLIS – The 2017 season came to an end for the fourth-ranked Cal women's water polo team on Saturday during the semifinals of the NCAA Championships at the IU Natatorium, but not before the Golden Bears put forth an efficient, relentless offensive display in a 14-11 loss to No. 1 UCLA.

The 11 goals tied for the most the Bruins have given up in a game this season, matching a 12-11 win over Cal in February at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.

UCLA jumped out to a strong start, leading 4-1 midway through the first quarter. The teams essentially played to a standstill after that.

"In some respects, we tactically did a really nice job," Cal first-year coach Coralie Simmons said. "I don't think they ever were able to handle what we were bringing at them, yet we couldn't get some breaks. In general, our attack was everything we asked for."

Although the Bears (16-10) never held the lead, they continually put pressure on UCLA throughout the game. Cal responded to the Bruins' strong start with back-to-back power play goals by senior Emily Loughlin and junior Dora Antal to cut the deficit to 4-3 with just over one minute left in the first quarter. The teams went back and forth after that, and when Antal found the cage as the third quarter clock expired, the Bears were still within striking distance at 13-10.

Cal, which was an impressive 7-for-11 on the power play, had three 6-on-5 chances in the fourth quarter but could only capitalize on one of them.

"I thought we got some good attempts," Simmons said. "They made some big blocks. I don't think they made any big adjustments defensively. They just made some big field saves. They had some good reads on where we were shooting the ball."

Junior Anna Illes scored three goals for the Bears while Antal and freshman Emma Wright each added a pair. Antal finished the season with a team-best 53 goals to give her 197 for her career, which is fourth on Cal's all-time list. Senior goalie Madeline Trabucco completed her career with 587 saves, which is also fourth on the Golden Bears' all-time rankings. Trabucco is one of only two goalies in Cal history to play in at least 100 games (102)
Loughlin, Trabucco and fellow seniors Stephanie Mutafyan and Genevieve Weed each played in her final game at Cal on Saturday.

"I definitely wish there was a different result, but I'm extremely proud of my team and how we came to play," Loughlin said. "As a team, we faced a lot of adversity this season, and I'm extremely proud of my team as far as our resilience throughout the season. I'm really happy to be a Golden Bear."

The Bears will return five starters for the 2018 season and welcome an impressive recruiting class, highlighted by U.S. Youth National Team member Georiga Bogle of Pasadena.