Maud Megens Named MPSF Tournament MVP

As the USC women's water polo team goes in pursuit of a sixth national championship, sophomore Maud Megens emerges as the fifth Trojan to be named MVP of the MPSF Tournament. Megens had five goals and six assists across USC's semifinal and championship victories in the 2018 MPSF Tournament, held last weekend in Berkeley. She's joined on this year's MPSF All-Tournament Team by three Trojan teammates, as freshman Paige Hauschild, senior Hayley McKelvey and junior goalie Amanda Longan have also locked up spots on the honor roll.

USC's balance propelled the Trojans to their fifth MPSF Tournament crown, generating a 13-10 win over No. 4 seeded UCLA in the semifinals before the Trojans topped No. 2 seed Stanford 13-12 in overtime in the title match. Megens tallied four goals in the final to add to her single strike scored against the Bruins. The sophomore would also serve up three assists in each game to help solidify her place as the 2018 Tournament MVP.

Freshman Paige Hauschild — recently crowned as the MPSF Newcomer of the Year — lived up to her billing in punching up five goals to go with two assists and a steal to help USC beat the Bruins in the semis. Against Stanford, Hauschild's overtime goal would stand as the game-winner, going along with two assists and two steals on the day. With six goals scored at the tournament, Hauschild bumped her season total to 64 goals — second most ever by a USC true freshman.

Also going big in the MPSF tourney for her first career MPSF All-Tournament Team honors was senior Hayley McKelvey, who followed up a goal and steal in the semifinal win over UCLA with an enormous performance in the final against Stanford. Known for her stalwart defense, McKelvey fired in four goal while adding two assists and two steals for the Trojan cause to help lift USC to the title.

While Megens, Hauschild and McKelvey were combining forces on the offensive end to the tune of a collective 16 goals, junior goalie Amanda Longan was in fine form between the pipes. The 2018 MPSF Player of the Year shined in the cage, hauling in 13 saves to help stymie the Bruins and then making 12 saves against the Cardinal. Three of those stops came in the second overtime frame against Stanford to help the Trojans stay ahead and ice the championship win.

Longan is actually the last USC player to be named MPSF Tournament MVP, having picked up the award in her freshman 2016 season en route to the Trojans/ 2016 NCAA Championship. Prior to Longan and Megens, previous MPSF Tournament MVPs have been Hannah Buckling (2013), Kami Craig (2009) and Moriah Van Norman (2004).

Now toting a 23-1 overall record and a 13-game win streak, USC is the top seed and the host of the 2018 NCAA Tournament coming up next week. The Trojans are making their 15th consecutive NCAA appearance as they look for their sixth national championship. USC will host two Opening Round games on May 8 at Uytengsu Aquatics Center before the final eight-team field gets underway for championship action May 11-13. USC opens with a quarterfinal matchup against either UC San Diego or Wagner at 12 p.m. on May 11. Semifinals take place on the afternoon of May 12, with the 2018 national championship game set for 3 p.m. on May 13.

Players Mentioned

Paige Hauschild

Amanda Longan

Hayley McKelvey

Maud Megens