Feb. 24, 2013

IRVINE, CALIF. -- The No. 2 USC women's water polo team got the last word in a see-saw battle with No. 3 UCLA today in the semifinals of the UCI Invitational. Kaleigh Gilchrist blasted one through with 2 seconds left, and USC held on for the 11-10 victory that puts the Trojans into this evening's championship bout with top-ranked Stanford. USC improves to 11-0 with today's win over its crosstown rivals.

USC freshman Anni Espar recorded her first hat trick as a Trojan today to lead USC's scoring attack. Espar's second of the day got USC a tight 8-7 lead near the close of the third frame, but the game would stay neck-and-neck. The Bruins were awarded a 5-meter penalty shot to open the fourth, converting for the 8-8 tie. Espar again got USC the go-ahead with her third strike making it 9-8. Again, UCLA would draw even, answering that Espar goal and then a Monica Vavic score on a 6-on-5. Locked up 10-10, USC's Kaleigh Gilchrist plugged in what would stand as the winner. Her bullet with 2 ticks to go proved the difference, and the Women of Troy were through to the title match.

No. 2 USC will face No. 1 Stanford in the championship game at 5:15 p.m. today (Feb. 24) in Irvine.

2013 UCI INVITATIONAL (Irvine, Calif.)

SEMIFINAL - Feb. 23
#2 USC 11, #2 UCLA 10
USC 3 - 2 - 3 - 3 = 11
UCLA 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 = 10

SCORING:
USC -- Anni Espar 3, Monica Vavic 2, Dominique Sardo 2, Olivia Cummins, Kelly Mendoza, Hannah Buckling, Kaleigh Gilchrist.
UCLA -- Donohoe 3, Fattal 3, Forster 2, Ronimus, Schulman.