INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Fourth-seeded UC Irvine rallied with six goals in the fourth period, but could not catch Cal in a 9-7 loss in the first round of the NCAA Championship at the IU Natatorium Friday.

After trailing 7-1 to start the fourth quarter, the Anteaters caught fire scoring three straight on goals by Gabby Pierandozzi (6:58) and back-to-back power play goals by Mary Brooks at 6:00 and 5:33. Cal would stop the momentum with a goal by Emma Wright at 5:01 before Kelsey Thornton found the back of the net from the left side at 4:40 and Julie Swieca scored on a six on four advantage to narrow the deficit to 8-6 with 2:25 remaining. Wright once again spoiled the Anteaters plans with a goal at 1:58 before Brooks had the final goal with 1:23 on the clock to end the game at 9-7.

Junior Mary Brooks led all players with three goals followed by senior Gabby Pierandozzi with two. Senior Kelsey Thornton and junior Julie Swieca each added a goal for UCI.

Cal started the scoring with a goal by Stephanie Mutafyan at 6:20 that was followed by a 6-on-5 goal by Kacey Avalos at 5:28. Pierandozzi put the Anteaters on the board with a shot up top at 5:04. That would be the last Anteater goal until the flurry in the final period.

The Golden Bears would lead 4-1 after the first quarter, 6-1 at the half and 7-1 after three quarters of action.  

The Anteaters, ranked fifth nationally, end the season with a 23-7 record.

Scoring By Period
Cal                          4-2-1-2-9
UC Irvine                1-0-0-6-7

Scoring
Cal: Avalos 2, Antal 2, Wright 2, Mutafyan 1, Illes 1, Carrega 1.
UCI: Brooks 3, Pierandozzi 2, Thornton 1, Swieca 1

Goalie Saves
Nelson (UCI) 7, Trabucco (Cal) 9.