LA JOLLA – The California women's water polo team put forth a ferocious effort in the NCAA title match but could not close the gap in the final stretch to take a 10-9 loss to USC at Canyonview Aquatic Center. It was the Golden Bears' second trip to the national championship game in three years, and Cal kept it close throughout the second half before time ran out. The Bears wrap a tremendous season in which they downed top-seeded reigning champion Stanford in the NCAA semifinals and now finish with a 16-8 overall record.

"The chemistry on this team is special," Cal head coach Coralie Simmons said. "We've just gotten better and better throughout the season and we knew we deserved to be here. It hurts to lose this one, but we believe in ourselves and we are so thankful for our seniors. It's been a joy to see this group grow and thrive, and we know our future is bright."

Leading the scoring charge for the Bears was Eszter Varró with a game-high three goals, while Holly Dunn and Despoina Drakotou added two goals each for Cal. Goalie Talia Fonseca hauled in 10 saves for the Bears.

Cal had the Trojans in reach for much of the game, locking things even twice in the first period on a 5-meter penalty shot from Drakotou and then a 6-on-5 rocket from Dunn. USC managed to build a three-goal lead in the second period before Varró reined the Trojans back in with back-to-back goals to make it a 6-5 margin. USC moved back ahead late in the second, only to see Dunn deliver her second with a sizzling buzzer-beater to make it 7-6 for halftime. 

Each time USC looked to pad its lead, the Bears fired right back. A 6-on-5 slam from Varró got it to 8-7, and then Julianne Snyder hammered one home in the final minute of the third to put the Bears one back at 9-8 entering the fourth. Again, the Trojans maneuvered to a two-goal advantage, and again the Bears battled back. A savvy play from Feline Voordouw earned Cal another penalty shot, this one also converted by Drakotou to make it 10-9 with 5:23 to go. A defensive battle ensued, with both teams coming up empty on power play chances as USC emerged with the title.

At the close of the competition, Cal had three players earn NCAA All-Tournament honors. Julia Bonaguidi and Eszter Varró were both named to the NCAA All-Tournament First Team, and Abbi Magee earned a place on the NCAA All-Tournament Second Team.


NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
USC 10, Cal 9
April 26, 2026 | Canyonview Aquatic Center (La Jolla, Calif.)
CAL    2 - 4 - 2 - 1 = 9
USC   3 - 4 - 2 - 1 = 10

SCORING:
CAL – Estzer Varró 3, Despoina Drakotou 2, Holly Dunn 2, Kate Meyer, Julianne Snyder.
USC – Sinia Plotz 2, Ava Stryker 2, Emily Ausmus 2, Ava Knepper, Morgan Netherton, Meghan McAninch, Rachel Gazzaniga.

SAVES: Talia Fonseca (CAL) 10, Anna Reed (STAN) 14.

NOTABLE:
- With two goals today, Despoina Drakotou finishes as Cal's top scorer this season with 48 goals.
- That total ties her at No. 5 for most goals scored by a Cal freshman.
- With her three goals today, Eszter Varró has scored at least once in Cal's last five games.
- With 10 saves, Talia Fonseca recorded her fourth double-digit save outing of the season and ninth of her career.
- Cal was in the NCAA final for the third time in program history, following second-place finishes in 2011 and 2024.
- Prior to NCAA sponsorship, Cal placed second in three straight collegiate national championships (1996-98).
- Cal's Coralie Simmons is the only woman head coach to coach in an NCAA final (twice: last in 2024).
- This was the first-ever Cal-USC NCAA final.
- The teams last met in NCAA action in the 2022 semifinals (9-7 USC win).
- Cal's Holly Dunn became the first New Zealander to play in an NCAA women's water polo championship game.

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