USC
California
No. 1 USC Wins 10th Straight, Beats Cal 7-4
March 06, 2010 | Women's Water Polo
March 6, 2010
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The No. 1 USC women's water polo team stifled No. 4 California's offensive attack leading to a 7-4 Trojan victory at McDonald's Swim Stadium Saturday. Joelle Bekhazi led the way for the Women of Troy with three goals. The win extends the Trojans' winning streak to 10 games and improves their overall record to 12-1 and 2-0 in MPSF play.
USC jumped out to an early lead in the first period on a 6-on-5 goal by Bekhazi off a pass from Nadia Dan. The Women of Troy added to their lead with Dominque Sardo's pass to Patricia Jancso for the score. Cal's Emily Csikos linked up with Stephanie Schnugg on a 6-on-5 power-play opportunity with 1:29 remaining in the first period to cut USC's lead in half, 2-1. But Dan found Bekhazi once more before the period was out to give the Trojans a 3-1 lead going into the second period.
The Women of Troy tacked on two more goals in the second on Alexandra Kiss's score assisted by Kristen Dronberger and Jancso's second goal of the match to make it 5-1 Trojans. Cal goalie Stephanie Peckham kept the match within reach with a big save on a USC breakaway on her way to finishing the contest with nine saves on the day.
USC capitalized on yet another 6-on-5 power play in the third period when Bekhazi connected with Forel Davies to extend the lead to 6-1. Cal came right back to score on back-to-back offensive sets thanks to Camille Hewko and Csikos. The Golden Bears were three goals back going into the fourth period, down 6-3.
After a series of defensive holds, Cal's Hewko rattled home her second goal of the match with 2:57 remaining. USC's Bekhazi answered with her third goal of the contest on the following possession to give the Trojans a 7-4 lead over the Bears. USC's Tumua Anae recorded four of her 13 saves in the final period to help the Trojans come away with the victory.
USC will travel to Hawai'i for a scrimmage Wednesday (March 17). The time of the scrimmage has yet to be determined. The Trojans will then return home to face Long Beach State Thursday (March 25) at 5 p.m. at the McDonald's Swim Stadium.
#1 USC 7, #4 California 4
USC 3 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 7
CAL 1 - 0 - 2 - 1 = 4
SCORING:
USC -- Joelle Bekhazi 3, Patricia Jancso 2, Alexandra Kiss, Forel Davies.
CAL - Camille Hewko 2, Stephanie Schnugg, Emily Csikos.
SAVES: Tumua Anae (USC) 13, Stephanie Peckham (CAL) 9
