STOCKTON – The No. 3 California women's water polo team nearly fought all the way back from a four-goal second-half deficit in Friday's NCAA Quarterfinal against No. 8 Princeton, but couldn't get over the hump falling 11-9 at Douglass Eberhardt Aquatics Center.

The Golden Bears (19-10) scored a myriad of long-range goals throughout the game, including three by sophomore Rozanne Voorvelt. They cut the lead to one on three occasions in the final eight minutes, but the Tigers (30-3) had an answer each time.

Cal got out to a lightning-fast start as senior Shea Salvino flipped it inside to junior Mallory Reynoso for the opening goal just 43 seconds in. Princeton answered with two quick goals and extended its lead to 4-1 early in the second quarter.

Redshirt freshman Claire Rowell fired one in on a power play and Voorvelt scored from way outside to cut the Tigers' lead to one. Princeton ended the half with two unanswered goals to go into the break leading 6-3.

Voorvelt added her second goal of the day to begin the second half. The Tigers responded with the next two goals to take their largest lead of the day, 8-4.

Cal embarked on a timely 3-0 run to end the third, starting with a 6-on-5 goal by senior Cecily Turner. Reynoso took an assist from Voorvelt two minutes later to make it an 8-6 game. With time running out in the period, Williams moved into the offensive half of the pool and let it go as time expired for a highlight buzzer-beating goal into the top right corner.

However, as the Bears continued to claw their way back to within a goal, Princeton kept responding. Junior Ruby Swadling made it 9-8 with 6:53 to go and the Tigers scored on the following possession. Voorvelt sealed her fourth hat trick of the year with 2:30 remaining, but it took Princeton 18 seconds to push the lead back up to two, 11-9 on a goal that proved to be the last of the game.

Williams finished with six saves. She ends the year in with 559 saves in her career, good for the fifth-most all-time in program history. 

 

No. 8 Princeton 11, No. 3 California 9
PU 2 4 2 3 – 11
Cal 1 2 4 2 – 9
PU Goals: Kate Mallery 3, Rachael Carver 3, Kaila Carroll 2, Kayla Yelensky 2, Jovana Sekulic
Cal Goals: Rozanne Voorvelt 3, Mallory Reynoso 2, Cecily Turner, Claire Rowell, Ruby Swadling, Isabel Williams
PU Saves: Lindsey Lucas 15
Cal Saves: Isabel Williams 6

 

STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal women's water polo, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWWPolo), Instagram (@calwwpolo) and Facebook (CalWomensWaterPolo).