#4 Cal Women’s Water Polo Triumphs Over #5 Hawai’i: A Recap

The No. 4 California Golden Bears women’s water polo team achieved a hard-fought victory against the No. 5 Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine, concluding the match with a score of 10-8 at Spieker Aquatics Complex. This win marks the Bears’ 11th triumph of the season, improving their record to 11-3, while Hawai’i’s record now stands at 11-4.

Thrilling Match Progression

The game was a tightly contested affair from the outset, characterized by a back-and-forth scoring exchange during the first quarter. However, the Golden Bears seized control in the second quarter with a stunning three-goal rally, establishing a crucial lead. Notably, Julia Bonaguidi connected with Eszter Varró to score, pushing Cal ahead 5-4.

Key Defensive Plays

Cal’s defensive prowess was instrumental in maintaining their lead. Abbi Magee executed a critical field block against Hawai’i’s 6-on-5 opportunity. Following this, Magee scored after receiving a pass from Julianne Snyder, bringing the score to 6-4. With constant pressure from their defense, the Golden Bears continued their offensive push, highlighted by Despoina Drakotou securing a steal and Claire Rowell assisting Varró for yet another goal, extending the lead to 7-4.

Second Half Dominance

The momentum continued in the third quarter as Cal responded to a Hawai’i rally that had narrowed the gap. Drakotou earned a penalty shot, which Bonaguidi successfully converted for her third goal of the day. A swift counterattack by Maria Bonachenko and Feline Voordouw culminated in another goal, pushing the score to 9-6. Shortly thereafter, Drakotou set up Varró again, allowing Cal to enjoy a 10-6 lead by the end of the third.

Hawai’i did score a couple more goals near the end of the match, but Cal’s control was sufficient for them to secure the win.

Game Highlights

• Final Score: Cal 10, Hawai’i 8

• Match Date: March 15, 2026 | Venue: Spieker Aquatics Complex, Berkeley, Calif.

• Scoring Sequence:

  • CAL: 2 – 5 – 3 – 0 = 10
  • UH: 2 – 3 – 2 – 1 = 8

Scoring Leaders

• Cal:

  • Julia Bonaguidi – 3 Goals
  • Despoina Drakotou – 2 Goals
  • Eszter Varró – 2 Goals

• Hawai’i:

  • Agatha Weston – 3 Goals
  • Ema Vernoux – 2 Goals
  • Camille Radosavljevic – 2 Goals

Goalie Stats

• Talia Fonseca recorded 5 saves for Cal while Daisy Logtens from Hawai’i made 10 saves.

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, the Golden Bears will cap off a three-game homestand with a match against Indiana on March 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. This game will also be significant for celebrating the team’s graduating members, making it a must-attend event for fans.

Noteworthy Achievements

• Julia Bonaguidi has successfully scored multiple goals in each of Cal’s last three games.
• Despoina Drakotou has recorded her team-high 11th multiple-goal game of the season.
• Drakotou leads Cal this season with an impressive total of 34 goals.
• Notably, Cal has emerged victorious in all three matchups against Hawai’i this season, maintaining a historical record of 40-15 against them.

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