SARATOGA, Calif. - The Pacific women's water polo team fell to California, 15-7, at the LouStrong Invitational Sunday at West Valley College. Rachel Krieger posted a hat trick for the Tigers, who fall to 1-1 on the season.
Kyra Christmas added two goals while Karolina Hlavata and Viktoria Tamas also scored for Pacific. Alexis Hollinrake made seven saves for Pacific.
Madeline Trabucco recorded 11 saves in goal for Cal, as the Bears improved to 1-0 on the year. Cal finished last season ranked sixth in the final CWPA Top 25 poll, while the Tigers finished 15th.
Cal struck first as Dora Antal got on the board, but Hlavata answered right back on the Tigers next possession. But Roser Tarrago responded for the Bears on their next possession as Cal took a 2-1 lead. Rachel Krieger tied it up at 2-2 with an even strength goal, but just after a six-on-five expired, Cal took the lead back on a goal from Kacey Avalos. Rachael Lewin and Genevieve Weed tacked on goals before the end of the first for Cal.
Tarrago opened the second quarter scoring to stretch Cal's lead to 6-2 before Kindred Paul and Lewin added Bears goals. The Tigers hit the post with shots twice before halftime, and trailed 8-2 at the break.
In the third, Tamas cut into the margin with a six-on-five goal, but Lewin answered for a 9-3 lead. Christmas added power play goal and Krieger tallied to bring the Tigers within 9-5. But Emily Loughlin restored a five-goal lead for the Bears and Lewin tacked on again to close the third with Cal in front, 11-5.
Antal scored her second on Cal's first possession of the fourth quarter, and Anna Illes and Emma Wright also tallied before Christmas posted an even-strength goal. Krieger's third cut the gap to 14-7 with 2:10 to go, but Wright added another with 42 seconds left for the final margin.
Pacific will return home for an exhibition against the Canadian National Team on Wednesday. The Tigers take on Team Canada at 4 p.m. at Chris Kjeldsen Pool. Following the exhibition, the Tigers will head to the UCSB Winter Classic to face Hawai'i, UCLA, Pomona-Pitzer and UC San Diego.
