NCAA Repeat Bid Ends In SemifinalsNCAA Repeat Bid Ends In Semifinals
Women's Water Polo

NCAA Repeat Bid Ends In Semifinals

No. 1 Stanford’s bid for an NCAA title repeat came up short in the semifinals, falling 13-11 to No. 4 California on Saturday night at UC San Diego’s Canyonview Pool.

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LA JOLLA, Calif. – No. 1 Stanford’s bid for an NCAA title repeat came up short in the semifinals, falling 13-11 to No. 4 California on Saturday night at UC San Diego’s Canyonview Pool.

The nation’s only program to have participated in all 25 NCAA Championships since the event’s inception in 2001, Stanford (15-2, 5-1 MPSF) was attempting to reach its 15th NCAA final over the last 16 seasons but settled for its first semifinal finish since 2024.

The Cardinal was also chasing its fourth NCAA title in five seasons and 11th overall in a quest to defend its crown from last year.

Saturday’s loss was a rare outcome against California (16-7, 3-3 MPSF). The Cardinal has dominated the rivalry series, winning 23 of the last 29 matchups against the Golden Bears over the last 12 seasons.

Jenna Flynn led Stanford with four goals, increasing her team-leading total to 54 while moving into 11th place in school history with 182 career scores.

Juliette Dhalluin and Sienna Green contributed multi-goal games but the Cardinal struggled to find consistent tempo offensively.

California led 5-4 after the first period and maintained its advantage for most of the second quarter. Dhalluin’s clutch score with 18 seconds left before halftime knotted the game at 7-7 and provided Stanford with an opportunity to reset.

However, the Golden Bears seized control in the third period, ripping off five straight goals to take a 12-7 lead at the 4:29 mark.

Stanford crept back to within 12-8 following a goal from Green on the power play.

Momentum continued to shift to the Cardinal early in the fourth, trimming the deficit to 12-10 with 6:13 left to play after a goal from Dhalluin.

Trailing 13-11, Stanford had an attempt to move within one goal but Flynn’s shot sailed over the bar after a timeout.

Christine Carpenter started and made three saves.

Jackie King entered the game with Stanford trailing 12-7 and helped stabilize the defense, finishing four saves while allowing only one goal.

Stanford Goals: Jenna Flynn (4), Juliette Dhalluin (2), Sienna Green (2), Kamryn Barone (1), Lucy Haaland-Ford (1), Ella Woodhead (1).