BERKELEY – The No. 3 California women's water polo team stayed ready after rain and lightning delayed the start of its MPSF opener with No. 9 Arizona State, as the Golden Bears claimed a 17-11 wire-to-wire victory on Saturday at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

Junior Ruby Swadling helped get Cal (13-3) off to a great start with four first-half assists, while freshman Millie Quin took over in the second half and set a new season high with four goals. Maryn Dempsey, Cecily Turner and Jessie Rose all scored twice.

The Bears' offense – which scored at least four goals in every frame – was clicking from early on, capitalizing on three power plays in the first 10 minutes to take a 5-2 lead over the Sun Devils (6-7). Swadling had the unselfish hot hand for Cal, with all of her season-best assist total coming on four consecutive Bear goals. Her fourth helper went to Dempsey with 3:13 remaining before halftime to make it a 7-3 game.

On the next possession, a Lindsey Harris steal led to a breakaway goal for freshman Abbi Magee. That was followed by a patented penalty-shot save by senior goalkeeper Isabel Williams. The Bears eventually ended the half with a gorgeous buildup resulting in a Maddie DeMattia goal and the first of two assists on the day for senior Sydney Hammill.

The momentum carried into the second half as senior Shea Salvino earned a penalty about a minute into the third. Quin put it away to give the Bears their largest lead yet, 10-3.

That kicked off a huge period for the freshman. On the next play, Quin took a great cross-pool pass from Hammill and finished with a clinical skip shot from the left wing. She later notched a hat trick with 1:33 to go in the third quarter, firing one right through the keeper's hands to send Cal into the fourth leading 13-6.

With the game well in hand, the Bears were able to go deep into the bench the rest of the way. Three fourth-quarter Sun Devil goals were answered by goals from Rose, Salvino and redshirt freshman Janna Tauscher.

Williams exited early in the third with four saves and three steals. Redshirt junior Alyssa Barnuevo ended her day with three saves.

Following their second straight win, the Bears will continue their four-game homestand with another big test against No. 2 USC next Saturday at 1 p.m.


No. 3 Cal 17, No. 9 Arizona State 11
Cal 4 5 4 4 - 17
ASU 1 2 3 5 - 11
Cal Goals: Millie Quin 4, Maryn Dempsey 2, Cecily Turner 2, Jessie Rose 2, Claire Rowell, Maddie DeMattia, Shea Salvino, Rozanne Voorvelt, Janna Tauscher, Lindsey Harris, Abbi Magee
ASU Goals: Luca Petovary 4, Juliette Dhalluin 3, Tina Doherty 3, Stevilyn Griffin
Cal Saves: Isabel Williams 4, Alyssa Barnuevo 3
ASU Saves: Itzahiana Baca 4