University Southern California Trojans
USC
Hawai'i (Championship)
No. 1 Trojans Take It All At Stanford Invitational
February 08, 2009 | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 8, 2009
PALO ALTO, CALIF. - The No. 1 USC women's water polo team captured a key tournament title this weekend in a championship run at the Stanford Invitational. In the second day of action, the Women of Troy pinned up a 13-5 win over No. 18 Indiana to close out group play and earn a place in the final. There, USC rolled past No. 4 Hawai'i with an 11-3 win that left the Trojans as the tournament champs with an undefeated 5-0 start to the 2009 season.
The top-ranked Women of Troy used momentum from Saturday's 19-9 win over No. 8 Arizona State and a crucial 12-10 overtime victory over host No. 2 Stanford to plow through their Sunday competition at the Avery Aquatic Center. USC last won the Stanford Invitational in 2006.
Up against No. 4 Hawaii in the title match, USC shut out the Rainbow Wahine in the first frame while tacking up three goals. Hawaii managed a score during the second period, but the Trojans continue to rattle off goals to take a 7-1 lead into halftime. Hawaii would get just single scores in the next two periods, and USC moved farther ahead to take a 10-2 lead into the final period for a smooth sail to the championship with the 11-3 final. Once again, Michelle Stein led USC's scoring charge. The senior provided three goals for the Trojans, with two each coming from junior Alexandra Kiss and freshman Nadia Dan. Meanwhile, in the cage, USC goalie Ilse van der Meijden was credited with a whopping 15 saves as the Trojan defense let just three Hawaii scores through in the final.
USC made certain that it would be in that championship match by securing a 13-5 win over Indiana in an 8 a.m. start to the day. A hot first period saw the Trojans peel out to a 5-1 lead. The USC defense shut down the Hoosiers in the second period, and the Trojans held a hefty 9-1 lead by halftime. The teams matched up in scoring in the second half with four goals apiece. By the final buzzer, USC's Stephanie Lavayen had her first career hat trick, and Alexandra Kiss too had added three goals in the win. Sarah Van Norman was next on the scoring list with two goals to help lead a set of eight Trojan scorers in the win.
USC now returns home for two matches. The Trojans will host UC Irvine at 12 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 14) and then plays Cal State Northridge at 12 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 15) at McDonald's Swim Stadium.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
#1 USC 11, #4 Hawai'i 3
USC 3 - 4 - 3 - 1 = 11
UH 0 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 3
SCORING:
USC - Michelle Stein 3, Alexandra Kiss 2, Nadia Dan 2, Kami Craig, Kally Lucas, Joelle Bekhazi, Kristen Dronberger.
UH - Mason, M. Eggens, Hanson-Swaner.
SAVES: Ilse van der Meijden (USC) 15, Bredin (UH) 7.
GAME THREE
#1 USC 13, #18 Indiana 5
USC 5 - 4 - 2 - 2 = 13
IU 1 - 0 - 2 - 2 = 5
SCORING:
USC - Alexandra Kiss 3, Stephanie Lavayen 3, Sarah Van Norman 2, Kally Lucas, Kara-Leigh Huse, Jordan Anae, Michelle Stein, Kristen Dronberger.
IU - Hannon 2, L. Wyckoff, Mayeron, Eimstad.
SAVES: Ilse van der Meijden (USC) 5, Carson (IU) 8.
