Cal Water Polo Hosts San José State on Saturday | 2026 Schedule
BERKELEY, CA – The California Golden Bears continued their strong start to the women’s water polo season with a decisive 82-53 victory over San Jose State on . The game, played at the Provident Credit Union Event Center, saw California dominate from start to finish, showcasing a potent offense and stifling defense.
Cal (9-3, 1-1 MPSF) is now looking for its tenth win of the year as they begin a three-game homestand, hosting the Spartans (6-9, 1-3) at 1 p.m. PT on Saturday at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Golden Bears are coming off a thrilling 11-10 road win against No. 5 Arizona State, secured with a last-second goal from Abbi Magee.
Saturday’s contest will be streamed on overnght.com, with Greg Mescall and Wes Kading providing commentary. Live stats will be available at scores.6-8sports.com.
The win over Arizona State was a testament to Cal’s resilience. Maria Bogachenko played a crucial role in keeping the Bears competitive throughout the game, contributing a hat trick and consistently battling for position. Julia Bonaguidi also stepped up with four goals, including key scores that gave Cal its first leads of the game. Rosalie Hassett’s work at set earned a crucial 5-meter penalty shot converted by Bonaguidi, and ultimately set up Magee’s game-winning blast with just one second remaining.
Bonaguidi’s performance earned her the MPSF Player of the Week award, the first for a Golden Bear since 2024. She tied her career high with four goals against Arizona State, including three in the fourth period, and added two assists and a steal.
Freshman Despoina Drakotou continues to make an immediate impact for Cal, earning her fourth MPSF Newcomer of the Week honor. Drakotou leads the Bears in scoring with 20 goals, having recorded multiple goals in a team-best nine games. Her ability to find the back of the net, coupled with her defensive contributions, has quickly made her a key component of the Cal attack.
The Bears boast a roster with international experience. Several Cal players and alumnae recently competed at the World Aquatics U20 Championships in Brazil. Julia Bonaguidi and Rosalie Hassett helped Team USA capture gold, while Despoina Drakotou contributed to Greece’s bronze medal finish. Former Bears Kitty Lynn Joustra, Cassidy Ball, and Cecily Turner also represented their countries at the event.
Cal’s success is built on a strong core of returning players, including Bogachenko, Bonaguidi, and Magee, who combined for 107 goals last season. The addition of talented newcomers like Drakotou has further bolstered the team’s offensive firepower. Goalie Talia Fonseca provides a solid defensive presence, averaging 7.4 saves per game in 2025.
The team is also honoring the memory of Brigitte Donner Daws, a former Cal water polo player who passed away in 2020. The annual early-season tournament has been renamed the Brigitte Donner Daws Memorial Invitational in her honor, and a special remembrance was held at the most recent event.
Looking ahead, the Golden Bears will aim to continue their winning ways as they navigate a challenging MPSF schedule. With a blend of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, Cal is poised to make a strong push for a championship this season. Saturday’s game against San Jose State provides an opportunity to build momentum and solidify their position as one of the top teams in the nation.