IRVINE, CALIF. -- The No. 4 California women's water polo team fell behind early and was unable to make up ground in today's third-place game at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational in Irvine. The Golden Bears finished fourth at the event with a 15-12 loss to No. 3 USC, putting Cal at 8-2 overall on the season.

In a first half interrupted by 19 combined exclusions, the Trojans capitalized on first-period opportunities and got out to a 4-1 lead. Abbi Magee and Maria Bogachenko both finished off Cal power plays later in the frame, but one more USC 6-on-5 helped the Trojans to a 6-3 lead after eight minutes of play. That lead grew to 8-3 until Feline Voordouw ripped in a backhand for the Bears to make it 8-4 Despoina Drakotou converted on a 5-meter penalty to make it 8-5, but again USC had an answer and took a 9-5 lead into halftime. 

The first three minutes of the third were a defensive stalemate until the teams traded 6-on-5 scores for a 10-6 margin. Again the Trojans managed the last goal of the frame, and Cal was in a 12-7 hold entering the fourth. Julia Bonaguidi tallied her second goal of the day to open the final period, but USC scored two more next. The Bears answered with goals from Abbi Magee and Rosalie Hassett to get to within three at 14-11 with 1:15 to go, but Cal could not get any closer in taking a 15-12 loss to finish up in fourth place at the event.

NEXT: Cal now turns to open MPSF competition with a home test against No. 2 UCLA on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

NOTABLE:
- With her goal today, Feline Voordouw has scored in all 10 games this season.
- With two goals today, Despoina Drakotou leads Cal with eight multiple-goal games this season and 26 total goals.

BARBARA KALBUS INVITATIONAL 

Third Place Game
 #3 USC 15, #4 Cal 12
Sunday, Feb. 15 | Irvine, Calif.
CAL  3 - 2 - 2 - 5 = 12
USC  6 - 3 - 3 - 3 = 15

SCORING:
CAL -- Rosalie Hassett 3, Julia Bonaguidi 2, Despoina Drakotou 2, Abbi Magee 2, Feline Voordouw, Eszter Varro, Maria Bogachenko.
USC -- Emily Ausmus 4, Ava Stryker 3, Natalia Blazevic 3, Meghan McAninch 2, Sinia Plotz, Morgan Netherton, Alma Yaacobi.

SAVES: Talia Fonseca (CAL) 8, Anna Reed (USC) 6.

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