San Jose, Calif. – The USC women’s water polo team kicked off conference play with a trip north to San Jose State. The No. 3 Women of Troy and the No. 16 Spartans faced off as USC claimed a dominant 19-8 victory to get its first MPSF victory of the 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n
#3 USC 19, #16 San Jose State 8
\nThe Women of Troy were in control from the opening sprint in a 19-8 win over San Jose State.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ashley Kwan<\/a> won the first possession, and after a defensive battle to start, Maggie Johnson<\/a> broke through at the 6:49 mark to put USC on the board. San Jose State answered midway through the frame behind a goal to even it at 1-1, but the Trojans responded quickly.<\/p>\n Natalia Blazevic<\/a> converted on the power play after Emily Ausmus<\/a> drew the exclusion to give USC the lead back. Ava Stryker<\/a> followed with a goal at 1:10, and Meghan McAninch<\/a> added another in the final 30 seconds off an assist from Ausmus. USC closed the first quarter on a 3-0 run to take a 4-1 advantage.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Trojans’ offense found its rhythm in the second. Caitlin Cohen<\/a> converted on a 6-on-5 chance to open the period, and Ausmus took over from there. She scored three times in the quarter, including another power play finish. Rachel Gazzaniga<\/a> and Stryker each added to the surge, with Stryker contributing both a point and an assist. By halftime, USC had built a commanding 10-2 lead.<\/p>\n Out of the break, USC continued to press. Gazzaniga and Blazevic found the back of the cage again, and Hannah Carver<\/a> added a goal to push the margin to 14-3. San Jose State managed a small late run in the third quarter, but the Trojans carried a 14-5 lead into the final frame.<\/p>\n In the fourth, Ausmus recorded her fourth goal of the game off an assist from Sinia Plotz<\/a>. After the Spartans answered, Plotz delivered back-to-back goals of her own. Stryker continued to impact the game with two assists in the fourth, and USC maintained control throughout the closing minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n In goal, Anna Reed<\/a> anchored the defense with seven saves to go along with three steals and an assist, helping limit the Spartans’ opportunities. The Trojans’ balanced attack and defensive pressure secured the 19-8 victory.<\/p>\n Notables
\nScoring Saves Up Next
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\n\tEmily Ausmus<\/a> led the scoring with four goals and two assists for a six-point game.
\n\tRachel Gazzaniga<\/a> and Ava Stryker<\/a> each added a hat trick.
\n\tAnna Reed<\/a> racked up seven saves and three steals.
\n\tSofia Umeda<\/a> recorded a career high three field blocks.
\n\tThe win is USC’s ninth victory over a ranked opponent this season.
\n\tNine different Trojans scored in the contest with six recording multiple-goal outings.
<\/p>\n
\nEmily Ausmus<\/a> (4), Rachel Gazzaniga<\/a> (3), Ava Stryker<\/a> (3), Sinia Plotz<\/a> (2), Natalia Blazevic<\/a> (2), Meghan McAninch<\/a> (2), Maggie Johnson<\/a> (1), Caitlin Cohen<\/a> (1), Hannah Carver<\/a> (1)\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nAnna Reed<\/a> (7), Lauren Schneider<\/a> (1)<\/p>\n
\nUSC will return home for just the second time this season to the Uytengsu Aquatics Center to take on Indiana to continue MPSF play.\u00a0
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