UCI women’s water polo falls to Cal

WOMEN’S WATER POLO

Cal 9, UC Irvine 7

INDIANAPOLIS — The No. 4-seedeed Anteaters rallied from a 7-1 deficit after three periods to within 8-6, before the Golden Bears prevailed in the first round of the NCAA Championship on Friday at the IU Natatorium.

Junior Mary Brooks had three goals and three steals for the Anteaters (23-7), who had won 14 straight and had not lost since Feb. 26.

Gabby Pierandozzi had two goals, while Kelsey Thornton and Julie Swieca added one apiece for the Big West Conference champions.

UCI senior goalie Annika Nelson had nine saves.

Corona del Mar High product Genevieve Weed played for Cal (16-9), which advances to Saturday’s semifinals against top-seeded UCLA.