University Southern California Trojans
USC Sweeps MPSF Player and Newcomer of the Week Awards
February 16, 2016 | Women's Water Polo
USC women's water polo punched up a big tournament title over the weekend, topping off the trip with a win over rival UCLA in the championship game. For their efforts in driving the Trojans to a perfect performance at the tourney, USC's Stephania Haralabidis and Amanda Longan have earned weekly honors from the MPSF. Haralabidis has been named the MPSF Player of the Week, and freshman Longan is the MPSF Newcomer of the Week.
Stephania Haralabidis was USC's top scorer in its run to winning the Triton Invitational championship. She topped out with a hat trick in the title match, where the Trojans beat No. 1 UCLA 8-6 in the final to stay perfect at 6-0 on the year. Haralabidis scored four goals on the first day of action at the tourney, scoring twice in wins over Santa Clara and No. 19 host UC San Diego to help secure USC a spot in the semifinals the next day. There, Haralabidis scored the first goal of the game and then added another to help generate a 6-3 win for USC over No. 5 Arizona State, leading into her three goals in USC's 8-6 win over UCLA in the final. Haralabidis' nine goals at the event moves her up to stand as the Trojans' top scorer on the year with 15 goals to date.
Freshman goalie Amanda Longan had a strong showing in helping USC along to the Triton Invitational championship over the weekend. In her two appearances, Longan collected a total of eight saves -- including a 5-meter penalty stop -- and allowed only four goals. She made three saves in three periods of work in the opening 20-2 win over Santa Clara and then made five saves in the same stretch of action in USC's 6-3 semifinal win over No. 5 Arizona State.
This is the second career selection as MPSF Player of the Week for Haralabidis and the first weekly MPSF award for Longan. Haralabidis and Longan now settle back in at USC's home pool at Uytengsu Aquatics Center this week, hosting Cal State Northridge in a 1 p.m. game on Saturday (Feb. 20).
