Trojans assault: Girls’s water polo loses its first sport of the season to USC

6 months ago 2 min read

No. 1 Stanford (16-1, 3-1 MPSF) is winless no extra after dropping on the street towards No. 2 USC (22-1, 4-0 MPSF). The Cardinal placed on a courageous struggle within the first three quarters earlier than the sport — and their 16-match successful streak — finally slipped away to the Trojans, 17-12.

USC began off robust, scoring three objectives back-to-back with out letting Stanford get into the sport. This was till the Cardinal caught up with two objectives from freshman driver Jenna Flynn. Stanford strengthened its protection by the tip of the primary quarter. They then trailed 3-2, just one aim behind USC.

Junior driver Jewel Roemer and redshirt senior 2-meter Aria Fischer scored within the second quarter, alongside a penalty aim from Flynn, bringing Stanford again within the sport. However USC nonetheless managed to problem the Cardinal offense, as junior goalkeeper Maya Ativial shaped a wall between the posts. She totaled eight blocks and one steal all through the sport. The second quarter resulted in a 6-6 tie, as the 2 groups remained neck and neck.

However Stanford’s protection weakened through the third quarter, permitting the Trojans to double their level complete. The Cardinal nonetheless scored a complete of 5 objectives, two of those objectives being penalty conversions by Roemer and redshirt junior driver Ryann Neuschel. Regardless of making USC wrestle within the first couple of minutes, Stanford had let its guard down by the tip, leading to a 12-11 lead for the Trojans.

Regardless of getting into the fourth quarter trailing by just one level, Stanford got here up quick and let USC rating 6 extra objectives earlier than the competition’s finish. The Trojan protection proved stifling for the Cardinal — solely Roemer managed to attain one other aim — and resulted within the first lack of the season for Stanford. The ultimate buzzer sounded with USC firmly in management, because the Trojans gained the day, 17-12.

Stanford will return dwelling to face No. 20 San Jose State (12-15, 0-3 MPSF) on April 16. The sport is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. PT subsequent Sunday.