USC
California (3rd Place)
No. 2 USC Takes Third at UCI Invitational
February 26, 2012 | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 26, 2012
IRVINE, CALIF. -- The No. 2 USC women's water polo team took its second one-goal loss of the year during the semifinals of the UCI Invitational today, but rebounded to take third place at the tournament. The Trojans were edged out 8-7 by No. 3 UCLA in the semis before taking out No. 4 California with a 9-6 win for the third-place finish. USC goes to 11-2 overall with today's split.
Up against the Bruins for the first time in official action this season, USC climbed ahead of UCLA 5-4 at halftime and put the Bruins in a 7-4 hole entering the final period of play. That deficit was not enough, however. UCLA was able to tighten up its defense in the fourth and turn the tide on the Trojans with an offensive surge to tie it up. The Bruins would strike the winner with 14 seconds left in regulation, going up 8-7 and holding on for the win.
The Women of Troy would make sure there was no repeat of such a comeback in the third-place game with Cal, though. USC worked ahed 5-3 at halftime in that one, and led 8-6 going into the fourth. This time, the Trojan defense silenced its opponent, while netting one more goal to seal the deal on a 9-6 win for USC.
Dominique Sardo was USC's top scorer on the day thanks to a hat trick against the Bears, finishing with four on the day. Patricia Jancso was next with three -- one vs. UCLA and a pair against the Bears. Goalie Flora Bolonyai manned the cage for both contests, tallying three save vs. the Bruins and nine against Cal.
USC can avenge today's loss to the Bruins this week. The Trojans host UCLA in an MPSF matchup on Saturday (March 3) at 1 p.m. at McDonald's Swim Stadium for a chance to add to their 1-0 start to conference action.
2012 UCI INVITATIONAL (Irvine, Calif.)
Semifinals - Feb. 26
#3 UCLA 8, #2 USC 7
USC 2 - 3 - 2 - 0 = 7
UCLA 2 - 2 - 0 - 4 = 8
SCORING:
USC -- Nicolina McCall 2, Patricia Jancso, Colleen O'Donnell, Eike Daube, Nadia Dan, Dominique Sardo.
UCLA -- Greenwood 4, Naranjo, Dorst, Clark, Sebenaler.
SAVES: Flora Bolonyai (USC) 3, Dement (UCLA) 14.
Third-Place Game - Feb. 26
#2 USC 9, #4 California 6
USC 3 - 2 - 3 - 1 = 9
CAL 1 - 2 - 3 - 0 = 6
SCORING:
USC -- Dominique Sardo 3, Patricia Jancso 2, Nadia Dan, Kaleigh Gilchrist, Monica Vavic, Blair Moody.
CAL -- Young 3, Vosters, McLaren, Talbott.
SAVES: Flora Bolonyai (USC) 9, Dorst (CAL) 7.
