Women's Water Polo Edged by USC in National Semifinals

Saturday, April 25

La Jolla, Calif.

6:00 PM (PT)

UCLA

USC

Photo by: Mac Brown

Women's Water Polo Edged by USC in National Semifinals

April 25, 2026 | Women's Water Polo

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Second-seeded UCLA fell to No. 3 seed UCLA 11-10 Saturday in the National Collegiate Water Polo Championship semifinal round at Canyonview Aquatic Center. The Bruins held a 9-8 lead, their first of the game, going into the fourth quarter.

Taylor Smith scored four goals to lead UCLA (21-5). Lauren Steele recorded 11 saves for the Bruins. Emily Ausmus and Maggie Johnson scored three goals apiece to pace the Trojans (24-3), who advance to face No. 4 seed California in Sunday's national championship game. Anna Reed logged nine saves for USC.

More to come …

No. 2 seed UCLA vs. No. 3 seed USC

SCOREBOARD	1	2	3	4	FINAL
No. 3 seed USC	4	3	1	3	11
No. 2 seed UCLA	3	2	4	1	10

6x5: USC – 4/8, UCLA – 3/12
Penalties: USC – 0/0, UCLA – 2/2

USC Goals: Emily Ausmus 3, Maggie Johnson 3, Ava Knepper 1, Morgan Netherton 1, Sinia Plotz 1, Ava Stryker 1, Alma Yaacobi 1
USC Saves: Anna Reed 9

UCLA Goals: Taylor Smith 4, Elektra Urbatsch 2, Lily Gess 1, Bia Mantellato 1, Carly McMurray 1, Anna Pearson 1
UCLA Saves: Lauren Steele 11