NCAA Women's Water Polo Championships: All Pac-12 semifinal round set for Saturday
Four Pac-12 women's water polo teams dove into the familiar waters at Uytengsu Aquatics Center Friday at USC as part of the 2018 NCAA Women's Water Polo Championships. And not surprisingly, it'll be an All-Pac-12 semifinal round Saturday for a berth to the national title match.
[Related: 2018 NCAA Women's Water Polo Championships bracket (NCAA.com)]
The No. 1 seed Trojans got off to a hot start in their home pool with a convincing 12-5 victory over Wagner. Sophomore Kaylee Brownsberger had a hat trick on just five total shots against the Seahawks.
Five other USC players scored, including two goals apiece from Paige Hauschild, Maud Megens, Denise Mammolito and Elise Stein (with a single goal from Brianna Daboub). Goalkeepers Amanda Longan and Victoria Chamorro combined for 16 saves on the day.
FINAL: [1] USC def. Wagner, 12-5, in today's NCAA Quarterfinal at Uytengsu Aquatics Center!
Six different Trojans score, led by Brownsberger's hat trick, while the Trojan goalies combine for 16 saves. USC advances to tomorrow's NCAA Semifinal at 3 p.m.#FightOn | #NCAAWaterPolo pic.twitter.com/ty4dxsNv9A
— USC Water Polo (@USCWaterPolo) May 11, 2018
UCLA, seeded No. 4 overall in the field, built up an early lead against Pacific and cruised to an 8-4 win to advance in the NCAA Championships.
The Bruins led, 4-0, after Lexi Liebowitz scored midway through the second quarter. Then, the Tigers rallied for two goals to make it 4-2 at halftime, but UCLA stretched its lead to 6-3 after three quarters.
Lizette Rozeboom, Devin Grab and Liebowitz each tallied two goals in the win. The Bruins advance to face USC on Satuday in the semifinals at 3 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. MT. USC took all three matches when the two programs met during the regular season.
The Bruins are moving on! UCLA doubles up Pacific and will face USC in tomorrow's first semifinal (3 p.m.).#GoBruins | #NCAAWWP pic.twitter.com/Lnw4UDd13y
— UCLA Water Polo (@UCLAWaterPolo) May 11, 2018
Stanford, the defending national champions and No. 2 seed, defeated UC Irvine 14-8 behind yet another balanced performance. Six Stanford players notched two goals while Kat Klass had a match-high three assists.
The Cardinal shot 56 percent and held the Anteaters to 32 percent. With the victory, Stanford finished off a season sweep of UC Irvine.
Scenes from Stanford's win.
[ » Rob Ericson]#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/lXc9dnLiST
— Stanford Women’s Water Polo (@Stanfordh2opolo) May 12, 2018
Though both Cal and Michigan had near equal opportunities on goal Friday, the No. 3 Golden Bears were much more efficient with their chances, cruising past Michigan, 13-6.
Doral Antal had a match-high five assists and five Cal players had two goals.
Now, the Golden Bears will prepare to battle rival Stanford for a berth to the NCAA title match on the line. Stanford won two of three matches during the 2018 season. But all of the matchups were close: 11-9, 8-7, 12-9.
The Bears get the big win in the NCAA Quarterfinals! No. 3 Cal will play No. 2 Stanford tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the semifinals! #CalWWPolo #GoBears pic.twitter.com/YcJCpHyu6x
— Cal W Water Polo (@CalWWPolo) May 12, 2018