April 5, 2008

LOS ANGELES - The No. 1 UCLA women's water polo team took advantage of five first-quarter goals to defeat No. 6 California, 10-4, Saturday afternoon at Sunset Canyon Recreation Center. The Golden Bears fall to 14-8 overall and 5-5 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

"I was disappointed with our effort today, I expected more from the team," California head coach Richard Corso said. "We cannot overlook Santa Barbara tomorrow. ASU only beat them by one today and we lost to ASU. Tomorrow is an important conference game for us."

UCLA raced to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on goals from Rulon and Gandy. Corso cut the Bruins' advantage to 3-1 with her first goal of the afternoon at 2:40 on a five-meter penalty shot. The Bruins led by a 5-2 margin at the conclusion of the first quarter.

Cal shaved UCLA's advantage to 5-3 with a 6-on-5 goal by Corso with 4:26 to play before halftime. The Bruins added three consecutive goals, claiming an 8-3 lead within the next 90 seconds. UCLA led, 8-4, at halftime. The Bruins scored twice more in the third quarter, and both teams were held scoreless in the final period.

Bruin junior goalkeeper Brittany Fullen logged two saves. California's Heather Stuart tallied 10 saves.

Team    1       2       3       4       F
California        2       2       0       0       4
UCLA      5       3       2       0       10

California Goals: Meghan Corso 2, Molly Hayes, Grace Reynolds
UCLA Goals: Katie Rulon 3, Tanya Gandy 2, Courtney Mathewson 2, Anne Belden, Jillian Kraus, Brittany Rowe

UCLA Saves: Brittany Fullen 2 California Saves: Heather Stuart 10