USC
Stanford
No. 3 USC Women Drop Heartbreaker to Stanford
April 02, 2011 | Women's Water Polo
April 2, 2011
LOS ANGELES - The No. 3 USC women's water polo team came up just short as they lost a 9-8 heartbreaker to No. 1 Stanford in front of a packed house Saturday afternoon at McDonalds Swim Stadium. The Trojans jumped ahead early with a 4-1 lead in the first frame, but Stanford's potent offense coupled with Amber Oland's strong play in the cage helped the Cardinal pull out the narrow victory. USC (15-4, 3-2 MPSF) had their 23 game home winning streak snapped with the loss.
The Women of Troy were up for the challenge early as they exploded for 4 goals, including two from Nadia Dan in the first quarter. Up 4-1 to start the second period, Stanford struck back with two goals to narrow the lead. Goalie Flora Bolonyai preserved the lead as she made a great save on Stanford's Kim Krueger from point-blank range to close out half.
Again the Cardinal struck as they began the third frame with two goals to grab the lead from the Trojans 5-4. USC wouldn't trail for long as Patricia Jancso unleashed a laser from the outside to beat Oland and even the score.
Going into the fourth quarter the tension could be felt as the two teams battled neck and neck. Both goalies raised their game as they made save after save on each end. Stanford wouldn't be denied and jumped ahead 7-5 after a two quick strikes. Nadia Dan picked the perfect time late in the fourth to score her third goal of the day and give the Trojans a much needed boost. Kristen Dronberger then delivered the play of the day. With her head underwater, she whipped a no-look backhander past Oland to even the score and force overtime.
USC again found themselves behind as Stanford was able to grab the first goal in the extra frame forcing the Trojans to scramble. Senior Joelle Bekhazi was cool and collected as she demonstrated incredible touch with a lob off the bar from distance to send the match to a second overtime.
Unfortunately for the Trojans, the team was not able to find the net again and Stanford's Jillian Garton skipped the winner off the bar and past Bolonyai to seal the hard fought victory.
USC returns to action Saturday (April 9) at UCLA with a 1:00 p.m. match against the Bruins.
No. 1 Stanford 9, No. 3 USC 8 (2 OT)
USC 4-0-1-2-1-0=8
Stanford 1-2-2-2-1-1=9
Scoring:
USC: Nadia Dan 3, Kristen Dronberger 2, Patricia Jancso, Sarah Van Norman, Joelle Bekhazi
Stanford: Kim Krueger 2, Annika Dries 2, Cassie Churnside, Pallavi Menon, Kelsey Suggs, Melissa Seidemann, Jillian Garton
Saves:
USC: Flora Bolonyai: 9
Stanford: Amber Oland: 9
