The No.3 Cal women's swimming and diving team continued its winning ways, defeating No. 11 USC, 157-143, in Los Angeles. The Golden Bears (9-0, 5-0 Pac-10 ) won seven events and tallied 11 second-place finishes to outlast the Trojans (3-3, 1-2) Friday at McDonald's Swim Stadium.

USC jumped out to an early 27-9 lead with a win in the 200 medley relay and a 1-2-3 sweep of the 1000. With a 1-2 finish in the short IM, the Bears sealed the deal.

"We kind of got off to slow start and found ourselves in a hole, but in the second half, people stepped up and raced really well," said Cal head coach Teri McKeever. "It was such a good atmosphere. It's what makes college swimming so special."

Cal was propelled by senior Helen Silver's three wins, a 1-2-3 finish in the 100-yard butterfly and two first-place finishes by sophomore Emily Silver. The Bears also posted several season-best performances.

In the 100 back, Helen Silver clocked a 54.61. She also won the 200 back (1:58.25) and the 200 IM (2:02.55).

In the 100 fly, Leann Toomey placed first (54.58) followed by Annie Babicz (55.66) and Sherry Tsai (55.71). Toomey's mark is a season best.

Emily Silver won both the 200 free (1:49.62) and 100 free (49.97).

Jessica Hardy's 2:12.22 finish in the 200 breast is a lifetime best and ranks third in the nation.

McKeever noted Jessica Cotton's fourth-place finish in the 500 free (5:01.57) as a key finish for Cal.