IRVINE – A strong start powered by senior Ruby Swadling's first-half hat trick saw the No. 4 California women's water polo team come away with a 13-11 win over No. 11 UC San Diego on Sunday in the Barbara Kalbus Invitational fifth-place game.

The Golden Bears (10-1) did most of their damage early on, scoring five goals in the first quarter and taking a 9-5 lead into halftime. Swadling got Cal out to a 3-0 lead with a pair of 6-on-5 goals less than three minutes in.

Rozanne Voorvelt, Abbi Magee and Janna Tauscher all scored in the opening period as well, giving the Bears a 5-2 lead after one. Claire Rowell converted another power play to open the second.

While the Tritons (10-9) Miriam Bogachenko and Lindsey Harris both got on the score sheet to keep Cal up by multiple goals.

Eszter Varró drew her second exclusion of the first half with 1:21 to go, leading to another Swadling goal 12 seconds later. Swadling recorded her team-leading fifth hat trick of the season.

The Bears extended their lead to five goals in the third quarter on goals by Julia Bonaguidi and Bogachenko. Tauscher scored off an assist by Bonaguidi to give Cal its largest lead of the day, 12-6, with 1:08 left in the period. UCSD inched its way back into the game over the last eight minutes, but Varró put away one last goal for the Bears to seal things in the final minutes.

Elena Flynn and Julianne Snyder finished with three assists apiece. Flynn also drew a game-high three exclusions. Goalkeeper Talia Fonseca tallied seven saves.

The Bears will be back in action on Saturday, Mar. 1 at 11:00 a.m. PT at No. 17 San Jose State for the beginning of MPSF play.

Cal 5 4 3 1 – 13
UCSD 2 3 3 3 – 11
Cal Goals: Swadling 3, Tauscher 2, Bogachenko 2, Bonaguidi, Rowell, Varró, Voorvelt, Harris, Magee
UCSD Goals: Christl 3, Schechter 3, Roberts, Doak, Thomas, Moll, Bartholomew
Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 7
UCSD Saves: Lexi Stahl 5, Bria Zwaschka 2

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