Gritty Comeback Seals Third Win Over USC

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - No. 4 Stanford erased a five-goal deficit midway through the third quarter, rebounding for a 12-11 victory over No. 5 USC in the third-place game of the MPSF Championship on Sunday.

The matchup for third place was a rarity for Stanford and USC, powerhouse programs which have combined to win the last 13 NCAA titles while facing off in the previous five MPSF finals.

However, Sunday's result remained significant for Stanford (18-6, 4-2 MPSF), which was coming off a semifinal setback against California. The Cardinal added another quality win to its resume, improving to 3-0 this season against the Trojans.

Facing deficits of 7-2 with just under three minutes before halftime and 9-4 at the 5:13 mark of the third quarter, Stanford surged ahead to complete its second comeback of the tournament, following Friday's 9-8 double-overtime thriller over Indiana.

Christina Hicks and Sophia Sanders contributed four goals apiece, with Sanders delivering the game-winner off a 6-on-5 opportunity with 2:57 left to play in regulation.

The Cardinal started slow offensively, as the Trojans built a 7-3 advantage at halftime.

Sanders completed her hat trick to open the third period but USC scored twice in a 40-second span to increase its lead to 9-4.

Back-to-back goals from Hicks and a score from Eleanor Facey trimmed the deficit to 9-7 before USC broke its scoring drought.

After Sophie Wallace converted a penalty shot, Hicks found the cage and Celeste Wijnbelt's score with one second left in the third period made it 10-10 entering the final stanza.

Trailing 11-10, Kamryn Barone answered 20 seconds later to tie the game.

Sanders struck again for the game-winner with 2:57 left.

Maya Avital was again spectacular in goal, making 13 saves.

Stanford will learn its NCAA seeding when the selection show airs on Monday at 5 p.m. PT.

Stanford Goals: Christina Hicks (4), Sophia Sanders (4), Kamryn Barone (1), Eleanor Facey (1), Sophie Wallace (1), Celeste Wijnbelt (1).