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Bears Dominate Big Splash In Historical Fashion

by calbears.com
Apr 19, 2024

STANFORD – Closing out the regular season Friday at No. 3 Stanford, the No. 5 California women's water polo team did something it hadn't done in over 27 years, defeating the Cardinal 11-6 behind huge performances by goalkeeper Isabel Williams and attacker Elena Flynn.

Williams had 15 saves for the fifth time this season and Flynn poured in a Golden Bear career-high five goals as they led Cal to its first five-goal win over Stanford (16-5, 4-2) since 1997. Along with helping hold the Cardinal to a season low in goals, Williams also became the second player in program history to reach 800 career saves.

Flynn single-handedly outscored Stanford in the opening half, pouring in her fourth goal on her fifth attempt in the final seconds of the second quarter. She tied a season high with five goals, firing in all five from distance.

It didn't take long for the Bears (15-5, 4-2) to take control of the game. On their first possession, senior Maddie DeMattia collected a pass in traffic from Claire Rowell and wrapped it around the defense for a slick backhand goal. The Bears held the lead the rest of the way.

Flynn put Cal ahead 3-0 with back-to-back goals midway through the first. In the closing moments of the period, junior Jessie Rose found senior Reagan Whitney in deep for a composed finish in front of goal, making it 4-1.

Looking to flip the script before things got too out of hand, Stanford earned a penalty on the first play of the second quarter. However, for the fourth consecutive game, Williams forced a penalty miss, remaining in a central position while extending her right arm out to stop the shot in its tracks. The Bears continued to pour it on from there, converting a pair of 6-on-5s with a goal by junior Rozanne Voorvelt and a quick strike from straightaway by Flynn to go up 6-1.

The Cardinal started to get its offense on track with two goals late in the half, but the Bears had an answer on both occasions. Voorvelt found senior Maryn Dempsey wide open on the left side to fire one into the top corner. With two seconds left on the clock, Flynn slotted in another shot from deep center, giving her four goals to Stanford's three at the break.

The second half provided a slow offensive start from both sides, but a pair of back-breaking goals by Rose and yet another penalty save by Williams quelled any chance of a late comeback. Flynn beat the shot clock and rocketed in her fifth goal at the 3:37 mark of the fourth to give the Bears their largest lead of the day, 11-5. She now owns team highs in goals (38), five-goal games (2) and four-goal games (4).

Cal will head into next weekend's MPSF Championship in Bloomington, Indiana, with a 4-4 record against top-5 nationally-ranked teams. The postseason begins with the MPSF Quarterfinal Round on Friday, Apr. 26.
 

No. 5 California 11, No. 3 Stanford 6
Cal 4 4 1 2 – 11
Stan 1 2 2 1 – 6
Cal Goals: Elena Flynn 5, Jessie Rose 2, Maryn Dempsey, Maddie DeMattia, Rozanne Voorvelt, Reagan Whitney
Stan Goals: Sophie Wallace 2, Christina Hicks, Eleanor Facey, Kamryn Barone, Skyler Jones
Cal Saves: Isabel Williams 15
Stan Saves: Maya Avital 6

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

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