April 26, 2008

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - In its third consecutive overtime game against Stanford, the No. 3 seeded USC women's water polo team knocked off second-seeded Stanford with a 5-4 overtime win in the semifinals of the MPSF Tournament on Saturday afternoon in San Diego. The Women of Troy never trailed in the game but never held more than a one-goal lead. After the Cardinal tied things up 4-4 during the third period, the USC defense tightened further and shut out Stanford the rest of the way. In the first overtime, USC punched in what would prove to be the game-winner with a score from Alexandra Kiss. Tumua Anae came up with two big saves during the second overtime period to help preserve USC's lead, as the Trojans punched their ticket to the MPSF championship game with the 5-4 win over the Cardinal. Now 19-6 overall, USC turns to face undefeated UCLA in the MPSF final at 4:10 p.m. at San Diego State's Aztec Aquaplex.

USC combined sturdy defense with composure and confidence throughout the game. While shots nailed crossbars and Stanford goalie Amber Oland grabbed 13 saves in the game, the Trojan offense remained under control. To open the game, Veronika Bartunkova blasted in an even score for a 1-0 USC lead. Just over a minute later, Stanford answered back, as Lauren Silver finished off a Cardinal 6-on-5 to tie it up. On USC's next possession, solid play from Sarah Van Norman in set earned the Trojans a 6-on-5, and after moving the ball around the top, Forel Davies rocketed in the go-ahead score to make it 2-1 USC with 3:30 on the clock. Tumua Anae came up with a pair of saves on Stanford's last 6-on-5 opportunity of the period to bring up the second frame.

Stanford's Allie Gerrity delivered a perfectly-placed lob on its first possession of the second period to once again tie things up, but USC came up with an answer at the other end of the pool. Alexandra Kiss planted a 6-on-5 shot in the top right corner of the cage for a 3-2 USC lead. The Trojan defense chased down a dangerous Stanford counterattack next, as Alison Riddle and Davies teamed up to put a stop to a Cardinal threat. Van Norman earned USC another 6-on-5 chance, but a Cardinal field block turned the ball over and Stanford earned a power play next, this one also finished off by Silver for yet another lockup at 3-3 to bring up halftime.

In the second half, Stanford had the chance to take its first lead of the game with a 6-on-5 opportunity, but Anae slammed down the shot for the save. Later, USC set up on offense and Miranda Nichols saw daylight for Kristen Dronberger at two-meters. Dronberger took Nichols' pass and ripped a backhand score for the Trojans to move ahead 4-3 with 4:58 on the clock in the third. At 3:10 Stanford's Silver would tally her third goal of the game, lofting a smooth lob bar-in for a 4-4 draw.

In the fourth, both teams played stubborn defense. Oland came up with three tough saves on USC shot attempts in the frame, while the Trojan defense squelched Stanford's 6-on-5 chance and stayed tight against the Cardinal offense. The Trojans earned a 6-on-5 with 4 seconds remaining in regulation but were unable to get off a shot. The exclusion time carried over to the first overtime period, and thanks to another opening sprint won by Davies, the Women of Troy began overtime with a player advantage. Kiss made the most of the opportunity, blasting in a score to lift USC up 5-4 with 2:39 on the clock. On the defensive end, USC had Anae pick up another save, while Michelle Stein got a takeaway at set and Nichols put a stop to a Stanford counter chance to help preserve USC's lead entering the second overtime period. There, the Trojans forced a shot clock violation by Stanford on its first possession, and Davies was next to shut down a Stanford counter. The Cardinal got the ball back with 40 seconds to go in the game, and took a strong shot with 11 seconds left, only to have Anae pull in the key save and secure USC's trip to the MPSF championship game.

MPSF Tournament - Semifinals
April 28, 2008 - San Diego, Calif.
USC 5, Stanford 4
USC 2 - 1 - 1 - 0 -- 1 - 0 = 5
STAN 1 - 2 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 0 = 4

SCORING:
USC - Alexandra Kiss 2, Veronika Bartunkova, Forel Davies, Kristen Dronberger.
STAN - Lauren Silver 3, Allie Gerrity.

SAVES: Tumua Anae (USC) 10, Amber Oland (STAN) 13.