FRESNO – Junior Maryn Dempsey was one of two players with hat tricks and tallied five points overall, and the No. 4 Cal women's water polo team pulled away in the second half to defeat No. 5 UC Irvine 15-10 in its 2023 season-opener Saturday at the Bulldog Fest in Fresno.

Dempsey added two assists and a steal while senior Cecily Turner also had three goals, as the Bears outscored the Anteaters 7-3 after halftime for the victory.

Goalie Isabel Williams, a First Team All-American in 2022, recorded eight saves to become the ninth player in program history to amass 300 in her career (301).

Senior Shea Salvino, sophomore Rozanne Voorvelt and freshman Millie Quin each added a pair of goals for the Bears. Quin also had two steals.

The team alternated goals at the outset before junior Mallory Reynoso and Turner strung back-to-back scores together to put Cal in front, 4-2. The Bears wouldn't relinquish the lead again, but UC Irvine kept it close and trailed just 8-7 at the half.

Voorvelt opened the third quarter with two goals in a row and Salvino added another to give the Bears an 11-7 lead. After the Anteaters got one back, Dempsey and All-American Ruby Swadling each scored to push Cal's advantage to 13-8 with 6:49 to play in the game.

Along with Quin, redshirt freshman Janna Tauscher scored her first career goal.

The Bears close out play in the Bulldog Fest on Sunday with games against No. 7 Michigan and No. 8 Fresno State.


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No. 4 Cal 15, No. 5 UC Irvine 10
UCI 2 5 1 2 – 10
Cal 4 4 3 4 – 15
UC Irvine Goals: Elena Flynn 3, Nioka Thomas, Airian Grisham, Libby Alexander, Jessica Lynch, Grace Helberg, Olivia Giolas, Brooke Banta.
Cal Goals: Maryn Dempsey 3, Cecily Turner 3, Shea Salvino 2, Rozanne Voorvelt 2, Millie Quin 2, Mallory Reynoso, Ruby Swadling, Janna Tauscher.
UC Irvine Saves: Faith Tedesco 4.
Cal Saves: Isabel Williams 8.