March 9, 2013
LOS ANGELES – The #3 Arizona State University water polo team gave top-ranked USC a run for their money on Saturday, but fell just short in an 11-7 decision in Los Angeles.
Alicia Brightwell scored three goals for the Sun Devils (12-4, 1-1 MPSF) as the team had an early lead over the Trojans (14-0, 2-0 MPSF) but USC used a 4-1 spurt in the third quarter to take advantage of the game and hold on for the victory.
Brightwell notched two goals in the first quarter as ASU got out to an early 3-1 lead in the contest. But, USC rode the momentum of two first-half goals from Kaleigh Gilchrist to tie things up heading into the half.
Gilchrist added two goals in the fourth as the Trojans laid down the hammer and put the game out of reach for ASU.
Shannon Haas added two goals for the Sun Devils while Amanda Young and Gao Ao each added a goal each in the game. Redshirt freshman keeper E.B. Keeve had 10 saves in the contest as she continued to be impressive, now having scored double-digit saves in all but two games this season.
The Sun Devils return to action tomorrow for a double-header in Bakersfield, Calif., as the squad takes on CSU Bakersfield in MPSF action before finishing the weekend against CSU Monterey Bay.
#1 USC 11, #3 ASU 7
March 9, 2013 - Los Angeles, Calif.
USC 2 - 3 - 4 - 2 = 11
ASU 3 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 7
SCORING:
USC -- Kaleigh Gilchrist 4, Jayde Appel 2, Monica Vavic 2, Dominique Sardo, Colleen O'Donnell, Hannah Buckling.
ASU -- Alicia Brightwell 3, Shannon Haas 2, Amanda Young, Ao Gao.
SAVES: Flora Bolonyai (USC) 12, E.B. Keeve (ASU) 10.