Courtesy: USC Athletics
TEMPE, ARIZ. — The No. 2 USC women’s water polo team captured another key MPSF win today behind a career-high four goals from sophomore Morgan Netherton, who helped pace the Trojans to a 14-10 win over host No. 10 Arizona State. USC shut out the Sun Devils in the second period while amassing an 8-0 scoring surge to take control of things. The Trojans are now 17-5 overall and 4-1 in MPSF play with one game left to play in the regular season. USC heads home to Uytengsu Aquatics Center next to set up for a Senior Day showdown against rival UCLA at 2 p.m. on April 20.
USC delivered the first two goals of the day before the Sun Devils capitalized on back-to-back 5-meter penalty shots to draw even six minutes into the action. From there, however, the Trojans hit another gear. While holding the Sun Devils scoreless for 13 minutes, USC rattled off eight straight goals to make it a 10-2 lead in the third frame. Alejandra Aznar, Rachel Gazzaniga and Hannah Meyer each plugged in a pair of goals during the surge, with Meyer lacing in a late lob to close down the first half as a 9-2 USC advantage.
The Sun Devils found some firepower in the second half, but USC’s dominant start was too big of an obstacle. Netherton, meanwhile, kept striking for the Trojan cause, scoring twice in the second half to get to her career-high four on the day, while Aznar and Janov had their hat tricks in place by the final buzzer as USC emerged with the 14-10 victory.
NEXT:
USC gets back to home waters next week to set up for a Senior Day matchup against rival UCLA. The Trojans and Bruins will clash in the regular-season finale at 2 p.m. on Saturday (April 20) at Uytengsu Aquatics Center, and will celebrate seven graduating Trojans — Brooklyn Aguilera, Alejandra Aznar, Molly Glad, Abigail Hendrix, Julia Janov, Hannah Meyer and Carolyne Stern.
NOTABLE:
– With four goals, SO Morgan Netherton set a new career high.
– SR Julia Janov’s three goals today tied her career high.
– With her goals today, Janov has now scored in a team-high 20 games this season.
– With two goals today, FR Rachel Gazzaniga is now even with Janov with a team-high 15 multiple-goal outings this season.
– Gazzaniga now leads USC in scoring with 43 goals this season.
– With three goals today, SR Alejandra Aznar now ranks No. 21 all-time in scoring at USC with 138 career goals.
– With two goals today, RS JR Hannah Meyer tied her career high.
– USC has now won 20 straight games against Arizona State.
#4 USC 14, #10 Arizona State 10
April 13, 2024 | Tempe, Ariz.
USC 4 – 5 – 2 – 3 = 14
ASU 2 – 0 – 4 – 4 = 10
SCORING:
USC — Morgan Netherton 4, Julia Janov 3, Alejandra Aznar 3, Rachel Gazzaniga 2, Hannah Meyer 2.
ASU — Luca Petovary 3, Millie Quinn 2, Sophie Shorter-Robinson 2, Alba Olivé Martí 2, Jasmijn Dikmaals.
SAVES: Carolyne Stern (USC) 9, Sanne Keijzer (ASU) 4.