No. 2 USC Women’s Water Polo Powers Past Pomona-Pitzer 21-2 At Barbara Kalbus Invite

IRVINE, CALIF. — The No. 2 USC women's water polo team cruised through its first opponent at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational today, topping Pomona-Pitzer 21-2 in group play in Irvine, Calif. Twelve Trojans scored in the win, led by hat tricks from Tilly Kearns, Bayley Weber and Sophia Lucas. Today's powerful win over the Sagehens improved USC to 9-1 overall.

The Trojans poured out the first 15 goals of the game while rendering Pomona-Pitzer scoreless in the first half. Grace Tehaney struck twice in the first period, with Paige Hauschild, Alejandra Aznar and Bayley Weber also getting to the back of the net offensively while the USC defense neutralized the Sagehens for a 6-0 early advantage. Stingy defense continued in the second while USC rattled in five more goal by halftime to build an 11-0 advantage. Erin Tharp would take over the cage for Carolyne Stern in the second half as USC pressed on to lead it 15-0 on another blast from Aznar. A power play score marked Pomona-Pitzer's first goal of the day later in the third, but USC answered right back with Téa Poljak's strike a minute later to make it 16-1 by the close of the third. Sophomore Abigail Hendrix rang up her first goal of the year touring that rally in the third, and the Trojans hammered home five more in the fourth en route to USC's final 21-2 decision.

The Trojans have two tilts ahead tomorrow, starting with a morning matchup against either Arizona State or Long Beach State to play for a spot in the 5:15 p.m. semifinal that afternoon.

BARBARA KALBUS INVITATIONAL

GROUP PLAY
#1 USC 21, Pomona-Pitzer 2
Feb. 25, 2022 | Anteater Aquatics Complex (Irvine, Calif.)
USC    6 - 5 - 5 - 5 = 21
PP        0 - 0 - 1 - 1 = 2

SCORING:
USC — Tilly Kearns 3, Bayley Weber 3, Sophia Lucas 3, Grace Tehaney 2, Brooklyn Aguilera 2, Paige Hauschild 2, Alejandra Aznar, Julia Janov, Sabrina Garabet, Abigail Hendrix, Téa Poljak, Honnie Vandeweghe-O'Shea.
PP — Lulu Gaither, Lucie Abele.

SAVES: Carolyne Stern (USC) 2 [1st half], Erin Tharp (USC) 6 [2nd half], Zosia Amberger (PP) 4 [1st half], May Lin (PP) 1 [2nd half].