IRVINE, Calif. – The USC women’s water polo team opened up play at the annual Barbara Kalbus Invitational on Friday evening. The quarterfinal game matched the Trojans up with No. 7 Long Beach State, marking the third contest between the two teams in as many weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a close contest, Ava Stryker<\/a> scored on the power play for her fourth goal of the game to ice it and give USC a 13-11 victory over The Beach to advance to the semifinal game.<\/p>\n #3 USC 13, LBSU 11 USC struck first behind a goal from Meghan McAninch<\/a>, but the Beach answered to keep it even early. Emily Ausmus<\/a> and Ava Stryker<\/a> helped the Trojans settle in offensively, and USC held a one goal lead after the opening frame.<\/p>\n Stryker converted a penalty, and EJ Hourigan<\/a> added another to keep USC in front, but Long Beach State stayed within reach heading into halftime.<\/p>\n Out of the break, USC created some separation. Natalia Blazevic<\/a> scored at even strength, and the Trojans capitalized on the power play with goals from Sinia Plotz<\/a> and Alma Yaacobi<\/a>. Ava Knepper<\/a> closed the third with a late tally for a five goal quarter heading into the fourth.<\/p>\n Long Beach State made one final push in the last eight minutes, trimming it into a one-goal game. Morgan Netherton<\/a> responded with a key finish, and Stryker sealed it on a power play goal in the final minute off an assist from Rachel Gazzaniga<\/a> as USC held on for the win.<\/p>\n Notables
\nScoring:\u00a0Ava Stryker<\/a> (4), Emily Ausmus<\/a> (2), Sinia Plotz<\/a> (1), Meghan Netherton (1), Alma Yaacobi<\/a> (1), Meghan McAninch<\/a> (1), Ava Knepper<\/a> (1), Natalia Blazevic<\/a> (1), EJ Hourigan<\/a> (1)<\/p>\n Saves:\u00a0Anna Reed<\/a> (6), Lauren Schneider<\/a> (1)<\/p>\n Up Next:
\nThe Women of Troy took on Long Beach State in a tight matchup that came down to the final minutes on day one of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.<\/p>\n
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\n<\/p>\n
\n\tAva Stryker<\/a> scored four goals and added an assist for her second five-point performance in as many games.
\n\tRachel Gazzaniga<\/a> matched her career high with three assists.\u00a0
\n\tNine different Trojans found the back of the net in the win.
<\/p>\n
\nThe Trojans have a rematch with the UCLA Bruins on deck in the semifinal round of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational. The game is set for 4:30 p.m. at the Anteater Aquatics Complex.
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