UCLA
USC
No. 2 UCLA Falls to Top-Ranked USC
April 09, 2016 | Women's Water Polo
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – In a pivotal conference clash, the second-ranked UCLA women's water polo team fell to top-ranked USC at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center on Saturday afternoon. With the 8-5 win, the Trojans snap the Bruins' nine-game win streak and maintain their perfect record.
"We fought hard," said UCLA head coach Brandon Brooks. "I'm proud of the effort the team put into both the game and its preparation for the game."
UCLA (20-3, 3-1 MPSF) was firing on all cylinders throughout the game, outshooting USC 24-18. But this Bruin firepower was not enough to overcome USC's formidable Amanda Longan in the cage. Longan was a force to be reckoned with, posting 13 saves and tallying two steals.
Six Bruins found the back of the net—India Forster, Mackenzie Barr, Charlotte Pratt, and Ashley Zwirner at even strength, and Lizette Rozeboom converting a power play. All of UCLA's goal were unassisted.
Defensively, the Bruins tallied seven steals. Between the pipes, veteran keeper Alex Musselman split time with rookie Carlee Kapana. The former put up three stops and the latter stopped one.
"We have to play with more poise and we just have to be able to get stops when we need them," added Brooks.
Next up, the Bruins continue conference play at home when they host Arizona State. The bout with the Sun Devils takes place at 3:30 pm PDT on Friday, April 15, at Spieker Aquatics Center. The match will be televised live on Pac-12 Los Angeles and Pac-12 Arizona.
No. 1 USC (2, 2, 3, 1 – 8)Games, S. Haralabidis – 2; I. Haralabidis, Bergesen, Daboub, Peterson – 1
No. 2 UCLA (1, 1, 2, 1 – 5)
Rozeboom, Zwirner, Forster, Barr, Pratt – 1
Saves: USC (Longan – 13); UCLA (Musselman – 3; Kapana – 1)
