No. 4 ASU Falls 6-5 to No. 1 USC

TEMPE, ARIZ.-- The No. 4 Arizona State women's water polo team fell to 6-5 No. 1-ranked USC Saturday morning in Tempe. In their first tournament of the year, the Sun Devils (5-3) have suffered their first three losses of the season. ASU's Luca Petovary and Bente Rogge each recorded a pair of goals in the loss.
 
The Trojans defense was again the catalyst in the victory. Pairing the defensive effort and a dominant second quarter performance, the Sun Devils trailed three goals late in the game. A late rally within the final two minutes cut the deficit to one goal, but it was too little, too late.
 
UP NEXT:
The Sun Devils are back in action Sunday against the Michigan Wolverines. The match kicks off at 2 p.m. MST in Tempe at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. The match will be available on ASU Live Stream.
 
Following Sunday's clash, the Sun Devils host the Stanford Cardinal for two games on March 6 and 7. After the Stanford series, San Jose State will travel to Mona Plummer for a three-game set against ASU on the weekend of March 20-21.
 
ASU Live Stream: https://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university-2.
 
GAME SCORE: ASU 5, USC 6
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Sun Devils were aggressive out the gate with a goal from Luca Petovary in the first two minutes of the game.
• With under three minutes remaining in the first quarter, a goal from Mireia Guiral tied the match at one goal a piece.
• The second quarter was all USC as they outscored ASU 4-1 to take a 5-2 lead into halftime. Three of the Trojans four goals came from driver Verica Bakoc.
• To open up the second half, the Sun Devils went on the attack, resulting in Petovary's second goal of the match in only 52 seconds. However, the Trojans would respond later in the third to regain a three goal advantage.
• Going into the final eight minutes of play, ASU trailed 6-3.
• With 1:40 remaining in the match, the Sun Devils still trailed by three goals. However,  two late goals by defender Bente Rogge cut the deficit to one goal with 17 seconds remaining, but the comeback would fall short.
• The ASU offense was led by Petovary and Rogge, each scoring two goals in the match.