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No. 4 Bears Cap Off Impressive Weekend

Feb 6, 2022
Emma Wright had six goals for the Bears on Sunday.

STANFORD – Senior All-American Emma Wright erupted for six goals and goalie Isabel Williams recorded 11 saves as the No. 4 Cal women's water polo team cruised past No. 9 Arizona State 11-6 on Sunday on the final day of the Stanford Invitational.

Wright, a three-time All-American who was the captain of the Canadian Olympic Team last summer, also added two assists as the Bears notched their eighth victory over a top-10 opponent this season.

At 11-0, Cal is off to its best start since beginning the 2009 season 14-0. All eleven of the Bears' victories this year have come against top-15 opponents.

Sunday's win capped off a memorable weekend for the Bears, which opened the tournament with a 10-9 sudden victory overtime win over No. 2 Stanford on Saturday. Cal also defeated No. 10 UC Davis on Saturday, holding the Aggies scoreless after the 5:25 mark of the second quarter in a 9-4 triumph.

Anchored by Williams in the cage, the Bears' defense extended its opponent scoreless streak for most of the first half Sunday, finally allowing an Arizona State goal with 1:26 remaining in the second quarter. Cal ended up going 35 minutes, 49 seconds without allowing a goal and led 5-1 at halftime against the Sun Devils.

Wright, who had three goals in the first quarter, scored twice during the first 42 seconds of the third period to put the Bears up 7-1. Her final goal gave Cal an 11-4 lead with 4:06 to play in the game.

It was just the 18th six-goal game in program history and Wright's third overall. She's scored seven goals in a game twice, one off the Cal record.

Senior Elli Protopapas added two goals and an assist while junior Shea Salvino also had a pair of goals.

Williams capped off a dominant weekend, allowing just four goals on a .733 save percentage. She averaged 12.3 saves per game for the weekend at a .685 save percentage.

The Bears have a bye next week before they travel to take on No. 1 USC on Feb. 19. The game will air on the Pac-12 Networks.