# #

No. 1 USC Tops Water Polo in Season Finale

by thesundevils.com
Apr 18, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.-- Arizona State water polo dropped their final game of the regular season, 11-8, against undefeated USC after the Trojans were able to pull away in the second quarter. ASU (12-9, 6-6) drops to 6-6 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference play, and will await seeding for the MPSF conference championship tournament after next week's play concludes.

Amira Van Buren recorded her second four-goal game of the season, and was the leading scorer for the Sun Devils. She has 95 career goals, and has a chance to hit the century mark in the MPSF championship. Lara Kiss recorded two goals, and Abby Begg and Blaire McDowell each tacked on another goal in the loss. 

USC jumped out on three early goals to open the game, and the Sun Devils were able to counter with three of their own. Despite tying the game early, the Trojans matched the Sun Devils after every goal to keep a constant lead throughout the game. ASU was able to hold the Trojans to four goals in the final half, but the Sun Devils only put up four themselves in that span. 

Chelsea Karimazondo started at goalie again for ASU and recorded eight saves and held USC to 11 goals on 26 shots, a 0.423 shooting percentage. USC was averaging 13 goals per game, and did not reach that mark in either game. The Sun Devils defense deserves credit after holding MPSF reigning Player of the Week, Denise Mammolito, to two goals on the weekend. 

Up Next: ASU will return home and have the next weekend off after a pair of games against UCSD were cancelled due to non-covid related issues. The following week Arizona State will host the MPSF Championship April 30- May 2 at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. It will be viewable via a MPSF TV subscription.

USC 11, ASU 8
HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • USC got on the board first with a goal 1:53 into the game.
  • The Trojans picked up two more goals which prompted an ASU timeout with 3:32 left in the first quarter.
  • ASU's offense picked up, Blaire McDowell scored first with 1:54 remaining in the first quarter.
  • Amira Van Buren's goal came with 0:10 remaining in the first quarter.
  • USC took a 3-2 lead into the second quarter.
  • Lara Kiss's goal was the first of the second quarter and tied the game at three with 3:20 left in the second quarter.
  • USC answered back quickly to regain the lead. 
  • Van Buren's second goal brought ASU within two 
  • USC led 7-4 at the half. 
  • Van Buren's third goal got ASU on the board first in the third to make it a 5-7 game. 
  • Abby Begg's goal with 2:58 remaining in the third made it a 6-8 game.
  • Trojans took a 9-6 lead into the final frame.
  • ASU scored just two goals in the fourth quarter, and USC pulled away with two of their own.  

Related News & Videos