No. 3 UCLA Falls to No 1 USC in NCAA Semifinals

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BERKELEY, Calif. -- On a cold and rainy day, No. 3 UCLA (22-5, 2-1 MPSF WEST) fell to No. 1 USC (20-6, 1-2 MPSF WEST), 15-12 on Saturday afternoon at California's Spieker Aquatics Complex. UCLA fell to 94-90-1 all-time in the series history.

A total of six different Bruins scored in the game, paced by three goals each from super senior Jake Cavano and junior Makoto Kenney. Kenney led UCLA in total points with five (two assists). Senior Tommy Gruwell and sophomore Chase Dodd each scored twice for the Bruins. 

Senior Bernardo Maurizi got the start in the cage and went the distance, making a career-low two saves and adding one steal while allowing 15 goals.

Massimo Di Martire led the Trojans with five goals. Kyle McKenney played the entire game in the cage for USC and was credited with seven saves and one steal while giving up 12 goals to UCLA.

USC jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Kenney scored (1Q - 5:01) to get the Bruins on the board. Redshirt sophomore Gianpiero Di Martire followed with a power play goal (1Q - 3:31) to tie it up at 2-2. The Trojans scored the final three goals of the period to lead 5-2 at the end of one period.

The Bruins scored the first goal of the second period on a power play when Cavano found the back of the net (2Q - 4:55) to cut it to 5-3. After a goal by the Trojans, super senior Evan Rosenfeld scored on a counter off a nice feed from Dodd (2Q - 1:21) to make it 6-4 USC. The Trojans scored again to take a 7-4 lead into the break.

Cavano set up senior Tommy Gruwell for a power play score (3Q - 6:59) to trim the deficit to 7-5. But USC scored five unanswered goals to build a 12-5 lead and the Bruins never threatened again.

The Bruins won the fourth quarter, 3-1, but couldn't get closer than the three goals at the final buzzer. USC opened the scoring in the fourth to take a 15-9 lead with 6:35 to go. UCLA would score the final three goals of the game, holding the Trojans scoreless down the stretch. But too many mistakes by the Bruins put a halt to any comeback attempt. UCLA was whistled for five offensive fouls and had six more turnovers on the game.

No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 1 USC (NCAA Championship - Semifinals)

6x5 - UCLA - 5/11 - USC - 3/11
Penalties - UCLA - 2/3 - USC - 1/1

USC Goals: Massimo Di Martire 5, Carson Kranz 2, Jake Ehrhardt 2, Marcus Longton 1, Chris Sturtevant 1, Luka Brnetic 1, Max Miller 1, Tony Nardelli 1, Ashworth  Molthen 1
USC Saves: Kyle McKenney 7

UCLA Goals: Makoto Kenney 3, Jake Cavano 3, Chase Dodd 2, Tommy Gruwell 2, Gianpiero Di Martire 1, Evan Rosenfeld 1
UCLA Saves: Bernardo Maurizi 2