LOS ANGELES – The No. 6 Arizona State University water polo team couldn’t overcome two six-goal quarters, falling to No. 3 USC, 17-9, on Friday in Los Angeles.
The Trojans outscored ASU 6-3 in the second quarter and 6-1 in the third quarter, blowing the game open despite a season-high four goals from Izabella Chiappini.
Monica Vavic scored four goals for USC (15-2, 1-1 MPSF) while Jennifer Stiefel, Stephania Haralabidis and Eike Daube each logged a hat trick.
E.B. Keeve had eight saves in the game to pace the Devils (12-4, 1-1 MPSF) in the cage.
The Devils were undone by a 6-0 USC run after tying the game at 2-2 following an Alkistis Benekou goal with 7:25 remaining in the second quarter. The Trojans reeled off six straight over the next five minutes, however, and ASU was unable to stop the bleeding until Benekou’s second goal with 2:03 left in the first half.
The Devils entered the half trailing 8-4, but USC’s 6-1 third quarter kept the Devils from getting any closer.
Petra Pardi, Viviane Bahia and Kayla Casas also scored for ASU.
The Devils return to action this Sunday, March 15 against No. 14 Long Beach State in Los Angeles.
#3 USC 17, #6 Arizona State 9
March 13, 2015 - Uytengsu Aquatics Center (Los Angeles, Calif.)
USC 2 - 6 - 6 - 3 = 17
ASU 1 - 3 - 1 - 4 = 9
SCORING:
USC — Monica Vavic 4, Jennifer Stiefel 3, Stephania Haralabidis 3, Eike Daube 3, Melissa Bergesen 2, Brigitta Games, Jayde Appel.
ASU — Izabella Chiappini 4, Alkistis Benekou 2, Petra Pardi, Viviane Bahia, Kayla Casas.
SAVES: Victoria Chamorro (USC) 7 [3 periods], Alegra Hueso (USC) 2 [4th period], E.B. Keeve (ASU) 8, Mia Rycraw (ASU) 1 [final 4:18].