University Southern California Trojans
USC
Santa Clara (NorCal Tournament)
No. 2 USC Takes Two To Open NorCal Tourney
September 17, 2006 | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 17, 2006
PALO ALTO, CALIF. - The No. 2-ranked USC men's water polo team opened the competitive Northern California Tournament with another staunch defensive stand, allowing just five goals in two games to move into the semifinals against UCLA at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at Avery Aquatic Center. Meanwhile, the Trojan offense went big, posting a 22-4 win over Santa Clara before dropping LMU 13-1 later in the afternoon. Stanford and Cal will face in the other semifinal on Sunday.
The NorCal Tournament - hosted this year by No. 4 Stanford - boasts 14 teams ranked in the nation's top-20. USC won the tournament title last season on its way to finishing off the year with the 2005 NCAA Championship.
In USC's opening match against Santa Clara, the Trojan defense -- backed up by goalies Benjamin Weil and Ronnie Giery -- shut down the Broncos for the entire first half of play. USC held a 10-0 lead at halftime, and pumped in 12 more scores by the final buzzer. Senior Thomas Hale and freshman J.W. Krumpholz led the way for USC with four goals apiece, and Trojan newcomers Matt Sagehorn and Drew Vyn each tallied their first career hat tricks at Troy in the win. Nine different players scored for USC in the lopsided victory.
Against LMU in the next round, USC's defense flexed its muscle once again, shutting down the Lions until the fourth period of play. Hoisting a 9-0 lead through three quarters of play, USC finally gave up a goal to LMU with 6:09 left to play. Offensively, USC topped out its season effort with a whopping 10 different scorers, led by Juan Delgadillo's four-goal outburst.
USC 22, Santa Clara 4
USC 7 - 3 - 6 - 6 -- 22
SCU 0 - 0 - 2 - 2 -- 4
SCORING:
USC - Thomas Hale 4, J.W. Krumpholz 4, Matt Sagehorn 3, Drew Vyn 3, Juan Delgadillo 2, Gabor Sarusi 2, Justin Rappel 2, Anthony Artukovich 1, Pavol Valovic 1.
SCU -- Gorin 2, Wall 1, Moore 1
SAVES:
Benjamin Weil (USC) 7, Ronnie Giery (USC) 1, Young (SCU) 12.
USC 13, LMU 1
USC 2 - 2 - 5 - 4 -- 13
LMU 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 -- 1
SCORING:
USC - Juan Delgadillo 4, Anthony Artukovich 1, Justin Rappel 1, Drew Vyn 1, Jovan Vranes 1, Stephen Lacy 1, Gabor Sarusi 1, Thomas Hale 1, Tommy Corcoran 1, Matt Norris 1.
LMU - Kelly 1.
SAVES:
Adam Shilling (USC) 6, Ian Elliot (LMU) 4.
