Started With A Statement

BERKELEY, Calif. - No. 4 Stanford opened its bid for an NCAA three-peat with a convincing 8-3 victory over No. 5 USC on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Championship at the Spieker Aquatics Complex.

The nation's only program to have participated at every NCAA Championship since the event's inception in 2001 Stanford (19-6, 4-2 MPSF) will face No. 1 UCLA (24-0, 6-0 MPSF) on Saturday at 2 p.m. with a chance to reach its 13th NCAA final in 14 seasons.

Friday's opening round contest was a rarity, as Stanford and USC have combined to win the last 13 NCAA titles while matching up in five straight finals.

However, the outcome was familiar, as the Cardinal has now beaten the Trojans in six consecutive meetings and 10 of the last 12 overall while sweeping all four games in 2024.

Stanford produced a defensive masterclass, holding USC scoreless until the 3:47 mark of the third quarter, when the Trojans finally broke through on their 19th shot attempt.

The three goals were the fewest surrendered by Stanford in the series since Feb. 25, 2018, when the Cardinal routed the Trojans 9-3 in the championship game of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.

Maya Avital was spectacular in goal, making 10 saves while denying two penalty shots. Avital also recorded her 600th career goal and ranks second all-time behind school record-holder Meredith McColl (2004-07) with 715.

Sophia Sanders and Kamryn Barone scored two goals apiece, with their first tallies giving the Cardinal a 2-0 lead after one quarter.

Barone and Celeste Wijnbelt found the cage in a 70-second span late in the second period, giving Stanford a 4-0 halftime lead.

Quinn Healy and Sanders continued the offensive momentum midway through the third stanza, putting Stanford ahead 6-0.

After USC gained some rhythm late in the third period, Sam Sternfels' third goal of the season as the horn sounded erased the momentum.

Coming off victories in 2022 and 2023, nine-time NCAA champion Stanford is bidding to join UCLA (2005-09) as the only programs to capture three straight NCAA crowns. The Cardinal, which has defeated USC in the last two national championships, also won it all in 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011 and 2002.

Stanford Goals: Kamryn Barone (2), Sophia Sanders (2), Quinn Healy (1), Christina Hicks (1), Sam Sternfels (1), Celeste Wijnbelt (1).