No. 1 USC Edges No. 3 UCLA 5-3

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LOS ANGELES -- No. 3 UCLA (10-3, 8-3 MPSF) played stellar defense but couldn't get its offense going and fell to No. 1 USC (17-0, 11-0 MPSF) on Saturday by a count of 5-3 at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center. With the loss, the Bruins dropped to 51-35 all-time against the Trojans.

Senior Lexi Liebowitz was the only Bruin to score on the day as she completed her first hat trick of the season. Senior Jahmea Bent got the start in the cage and went the distance, recording 10 saves while holding USC to a season-low five goals.

Grace Tehaney scored the only goal of the first quarter for the Trojans (0:40) to give USC a 1-0 lead after the first period.

Liebowitz's first goal of the game came on a power play (2:38) to tie it at 1-1 in the second quarter. Bayley Weber gave USC a 2-1 lead with a goal from the front court (1:17). The Trojans would take that advantage into the break.

After a scoreless third period, Weber scored her second of the game to open the scoring in the fourth period (7:44) to put the Trojans up 3-1. Liebowitz answered with a counter score (3:08) to trim USC's lead to 3-2. But Maud Megens had an immediate answer for USC (2:45) to push the lead back to two at 4-2. Kelsey McIntosh added an insurance goal for USC (1:33) to extend the lead to 5-2. Liebowitz completed her hat trick and ended the scoring in the game (0:41) to provide the 5-3 final.

Holly Parker registered seven saves for the Trojans, who were led in scoring by Weber's two goals.

The Bruins return to action tomorrow when they host No. 1 USC again on Senior Day at 11:00 a.m. PDT at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center.

No. 1 USC at No. 3 UCLA (MPSF Game - Game 13)

6x5 - UCLA - 1/11 - USC - 0/8
Penalties - UCLA - 0/1 - USC - 0/1

UCLA Goals: Lexi Liebowitz 3
UCLA Saves: Jahmea Bent 10

USC Goals: Bayley Weber 2, Maud Megens 1, Grace Tehaney 1, Kelsey McIntosh 1
USC Saves: Holly Parker 7