The California women’s water polo team secured a narrow 11-10 victory over Arizona State University on Saturday in Tempe, Arizona. The game was decided by a goal from Abbi Magee with just one second remaining, giving the Golden Bears their ninth win of the season and their first conference victory.
Maria Bogachenko played a key role in keeping Cal competitive throughout the match, scoring goals that tied the game at critical moments in each of the first three quarters. Julia Bonaguidi contributed four goals, three of which came during the final period and helped Cal take its first leads of the contest.
After Arizona State regained the lead late in the fourth quarter, Rosalie Hassett earned a penalty shot that Bonaguidi converted to tie the score at 9-9. Hassett then drew an exclusion, allowing Despoina Drakotou to score and put Cal ahead 10-9 with less than two minutes left. ASU managed to tie it again with 13 seconds remaining before Magee scored her second goal of the half for the game-winner. Drakotou also made a crucial field block on ASU’s final attempt.
The win ended a three-game losing streak for Cal and marked their seventh consecutive victory over Arizona State. Bonaguidi matched her career high with four goals in this game. Both Drakotou and Magee have now scored in 11 out of Cal’s 12 games this season. Magee is approaching a milestone, now holding 97 career goals as she nears her 100th.
Cal will return home next week to host San Jose State at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
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