STANFORD – Senior goalie Madison Tagg made a career-high 18 saves but the No. 4 Cal women's water polo team fell 7-6 to No. 3 UCLA on Sunday in the Third Place Game of the MPSF Championships.

Tagg's performance is tied for the most saves in a game by an MPSF goalie this season. She also moved into sixth place on Cal's all-time saves list with 460 in her career.

"Our defense was a lot better than yesterday and that allowed her to do her job," Cal head coach Coralie Simmons said. "She made some solo saves that every team needs in terms of staying in big games. We played a little better and that allowed her to stick to her responisibilities."

Tagg allowed only two even-strength goals, as UCLA was 5-for-8 on the power play. She also made a brilliant block of a breakaway shot by Bruins All-American Maddie Musselman in the fourth quarter to keep the score at 7-6.

Sophomore Claire Sonne scored two goals for the Bears, who are 1-2 against the Bruins this season with each game being decided by two goals or less.

Cal (16-8) fell behind 6-4 late in the third quarter but goals by sophomore Elli Protopapas and Sonne tied it up with 36 seconds left in the period. UCLA's Roxy Wheaton scored a power play goal on the next possession, and neither team scored in the fourth period.

The Bears were just 1-for-8 on the power play.

"We've been getting better on the 6-on-5 lately," Simmons said. "We are getting some solid looks but our shooters need to do a better job making shots. We are not putting the ball where it needs to go. 

Cal now waits to hear its NCAA Championships fate. The NCAA Selection Show is Monday at 5 p.m. PT. on NCAA.com.
 

 
No. 3 UCLA 7, No. 4 Cal 6
Cal 2 0 4 0 – 6
UCLA 2 1 4 0 – 7
Cal Goals: Claire Sonne 2, Brigit Mulder, Elli Protopapas, Hannah DeRose, Emma Wright.
UCLA Goals: Maddie Musselman 3, Lizette Rozeboom, Kelsey Blacker, Roxy Wheaton, Bronte Halligan.
Cal Saves: Madison Tagg 18.
UCLA Saves: Carlee Kapana 7.