No. 3 Women’s Water Polo Dominates No. 16 San Jose State For First MPSF Win Of 2026

Saturday, February 21

San Jose, Calif.

1:00 p.m.

USC

#16 San Jose State

Photo by: Nicole Hourigan

No. 3 Women’s Water Polo Dominates No. 16 San Jose State For First MPSF Win Of 2026

February 21, 2026 | Women's Water Polo

San Jose, Calif. - The USC women's water polo team kicked off conference play with a trip north to San Jose State. The No. 3 Women of Troy and the No. 16 Spartans faced off as USC claimed a dominant 19-8 victory to get its first MPSF victory of the 2026 campaign.

#3 USC 19, #16 San Jose State 8
The Women of Troy were in control from the opening sprint in a 19-8 win over San Jose State.

Ashley Kwan won the first possession, and after a defensive battle to start, Maggie Johnson broke through at the 6:49 mark to put USC on the board. San Jose State answered midway through the frame behind a goal to even it at 1-1, but the Trojans responded quickly.

Natalia Blazevic converted on the power play after Emily Ausmus drew the exclusion to give USC the lead back. Ava Stryker followed with a goal at 1:10, and Meghan McAninch added another in the final 30 seconds off an assist from Ausmus. USC closed the first quarter on a 3-0 run to take a 4-1 advantage.

The Trojans' offense found its rhythm in the second. Caitlin Cohen converted on a 6-on-5 chance to open the period, and Ausmus took over from there. She scored three times in the quarter, including another power play finish. Rachel Gazzaniga and Stryker each added to the surge, with Stryker contributing both a point and an assist. By halftime, USC had built a commanding 10-2 lead.

Out of the break, USC continued to press. Gazzaniga and Blazevic found the back of the cage again, and Hannah Carver added a goal to push the margin to 14-3. San Jose State managed a small late run in the third quarter, but the Trojans carried a 14-5 lead into the final frame.

In the fourth, Ausmus recorded her fourth goal of the game off an assist from Sinia Plotz. After the Spartans answered, Plotz delivered back-to-back goals of her own. Stryker continued to impact the game with two assists in the fourth, and USC maintained control throughout the closing minutes.

In goal, Anna Reed anchored the defense with seven saves to go along with three steals and an assist, helping limit the Spartans' opportunities. The Trojans' balanced attack and defensive pressure secured the 19-8 victory.

Notables

Emily Ausmus led the scoring with four goals and two assists for a six-point game.
Rachel Gazzaniga and Ava Stryker each added a hat trick.
Anna Reed racked up seven saves and three steals.
Sofia Umeda recorded a career high three field blocks.
The win is USC's ninth victory over a ranked opponent this season.
Nine different Trojans scored in the contest with six recording multiple-goal outings.

Scoring
Emily Ausmus (4), Rachel Gazzaniga (3), Ava Stryker (3), Sinia Plotz (2), Natalia Blazevic (2), Meghan McAninch (2), Maggie Johnson (1), Caitlin Cohen (1), Hannah Carver (1)

Saves
Anna Reed (7), Lauren Schneider (1)

Up Next
USC will return home for just the second time this season to the Uytengsu Aquatics Center to take on Indiana to continue MPSF play.