No. 3 Cal Knocks Off ASU In NCAA Championships

LOS ANGELES – The No. 3 Cal women’s water polo team scored four of the first five goals and shut down Arizona State’s offense the rest of the way in a 7-4 victory in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships at USC’s Uytengsu Aquatics Center on Friday night.

The fourth-seeded Bears (20-8) advanced to Saturday’s semifinals, where they will play No. 1 Stanford at 3:30 p.m.

MPSF Newcomer of the Year Dora Antal scored on the first possession of the game and junior Kelly McKee added another goal later in the first quarter to give Cal a quick lead. After the Sun Devils (15-11) cut the deficit to 2-1, the Bears got goals from freshman Roser Tarrago and Emily Loughlin to make it 4-1 with 5:12 left in the second period.

The teams then traded goals the rest of the game, with each only scoring once in the second half.

Tarrago finished with two goals and freshman goalie Madeline Trabucco had x saves.

The Bears have reached the 20-win mark for the first time since 2011 and fourth time in head coach Richard Corso’s tenure at Cal. The Bears are playing in their third NCAA Championships ever.

Cal 7, Arizona State 4

ASU 1 2 1 0 - 4

Cal 2 4 0 1 - 7

ASU Goals: Liz Kreek 2, Ao Gao, Petra Pardi

Cal Goals: Roser Tarrago 2, Dora Antal, Anna Illes, Emily Loughlin, Kelly McKee, Tiera Schroeder

ASU Saves: E.B. Keeve 14

Cal Saves: Madeline Trabucco 5