LOS ANGELES – The No. 4 California women's water polo team ambushed No. 2 USC with a dominant first half then held on during a defensive struggle after halftime for a pivotal 13-12 victory in the Third Place Game of the MPSF Tournament on Sunday at UCLA's Spieker Aquatic Center.

The Golden Bears (19-5) raced out to a 5-1 lead midway through the first quarter and led 12-8 at halftime before holding off the Trojans in a game that came down to the final possession. It marked Cal's first victory over USC since March 5, 2011.

A day after a heartbreaking 15-14 loss to No. 1 UCLA in the semifinals, the Bears generated some momentum heading into next month's NCAA Championships in Indianapolis. Cal will find out its NCAA fate Monday at 5 p.m. PT.

USC scored the first goal of the game – which turned out to be the Trojans' only lead. Cal sophomore center Feline Voordouw, who dominated the game's early moments, scored the equalizer on the next possession – the first of three goals in a row that gave her a hat trick less than three minutes into the game. She also had a field block, steal and earned exclusion during the run.

The Bears failed to score in the third quarter but played excellent defense themselves, allowing just a pair of goals to make it 12-10 heading into the fourth quarter. USC trimmed the advantage to 12-11 with 6:04 to play but Abbi Magee scored arguably the game's biggest goal on the 6-on-5 to push Cal's advantage back to two with 5:27 left.

The Trojans got back within one goal with just under four minutes left, but the Bears tightened up their defense even more, shutting out USC the remainder of the game. That included a missed shot by USC with 18 seconds left.

Seniors Ruby Swadling and Elena Flynn and freshman Eszter Varro each added a pair of goals while redshirt freshman goalie Talia Fonseca made nine saves – including two point-blank stops in the fourth quarter to help Cal to hold on for the victory.

 
No. 4 California 13, No. 2 USC 12
Cal 7 5 0 1 - 13
USC 4 4 2 2 – 12
Cal Goals: Feline Voordouw 3, Ruby Swadling 2, Elena Flynn 2, Eszter Varro 2, Julia Bonaguidi, Rozanne Voorvelt, Abbie Magee, Miriam Bogachenko.
USC Goals: Emily Ausmus 4, Tilly Kearns 4, Maggie Johnson, Alma Yaacobi, Meghan McAninch, Rachel Gazzaniga.
Cal Saves: Talia Fonseca 9.
USC Saves: Anna Reed 3.
 
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