As shown on The FOSH at 9:30 a.m. pacific standard time:
"## Top-Ranked USC and #8 Long Beach State Battle to Goalless Draw
"In an unexpected showdown at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational in Irvine, CA, #8 Long Beach State Beach faced off against the top-ranked Southern California Trojans. The match ended in a rare 0-0 stalemate, showcasing the defensive prowess of both teams. Throughout the eight minutes of the single period, both squads struggled to convert offensive opportunities into goals.
"The game was characterized by intense back-and-forth action, with each team exhibiting strong defensive strategies that stymied their opponents’ attempts to score. Goalies from both sides contributed to the shutout, making crucial saves that kept the scoreline level. The absence of goals reflects the high stakes and pressure of the matchup.
"Despite the lack of scoring, the game was filled with excitement as both teams fought vigorously for possession and control of the ball. Fans witnessed a display of skill and determination, underscoring the competitive nature of collegiate women’s water polo.
"Coaches from both teams will likely analyze the game closely as they prepare for future matchups, emphasizing areas for improvement in converting chances into goals. The result adds an interesting chapter to the tournament, leaving both teams eager to claim victory in their next outings.
“As the action at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational continues, the focus will turn to how each team adapts and strategizes following this unusual scoreless encounter.”
To kickstart this thread: USC with a gritty win over Stanford today. Q4 USC with 8 goals was a much different Q1-Q3 team with 4 goals. Tilly Kearns with 6 goals ( 4 in Q4) could have done more damage if not early foul trouble. Stanford couldn’t find an answer on her. Q4 USC put a hard press on which led to early turnovers and counter goals and completely changed the momentum. Stanford answered but it was different USC team than earlier.
I agree this has been a very good year for women’s college water polo.
Did anyone attend or watch last Saturday’s game between USC and Stanford? Stanford was leading 7-4 after three quarters but gave up 8 goals in the 4th quarter and lost 12-11. After scoring just 6 goals in a game against Stanford earlier in the season, how was USC able to score 8 goals in one quarter (4 by Tilly Kearns) on Saturday?
USC started pressing and got some steals. Ava had a few of them. The entire team played at a very high intensity level. Tilly took over in the middle. Home pool advantage. Incredible atmosphere for polo. It seemed like a repeat of the first match until the fourth. USC has really looked good the last month with many girls getting quality minutes.
Tilly was in foul trouble at the half, so that might have contributed to the slow start. The girls just started to feed off each other in the 4th and you can feel the momentum building. Alma (freshman center) had a great game and is starting to find her way.
The crowd and the band were electric. It probably didn’t hurt that Tilly’s family were in the stands and her boyfriend (who normally watches quietly from the back) was front and center of it all.
Watched that game. Great win for SJSU. Indiana played well defensively most of the game but Spark gave the Spartans a spark late when they needed it… we’re at the point in the season where some teams are starting to rise and some falling as playoffs approach
Hawaii 16, U.C. Irvine 11. The score was tied at 11 after regulation.
Stanford 14, UCLA 12. UCLA centers Anna Pearson and Bia Mantellato scored 6 goals on just 7 shots and drew 4 exclusions. In Stanford’s 12-11 loss to USC last weekend, USC centers Tilly Kearns and Alma Yaacobi scored 8 goals on 11 shots and drew 5 exclusions. To win the NCAA championship, Stanford must improve its defense against the top centers.
Cal 18, ASU 14. Cal’s Ruby Swadling had another hat trick and is likely to be a 1st team All-American. She missed the 2024 season training with the Australian senior national team. Freshman LH attacker Itziar Almeda scored 6 goals for ASU. For the season, she has scored 61 goals on 113 shots and has 33 assists. Last fall, Almeda played for the Spanish team that won the World Aquatics Women’s U18 World Championships. Almeda will probably finish second in the voting for the MPSF newcomer-of-the-year award, behind USC’s Emily Ausmus. Ausmus, also in the running for the Cutino Award, has had an outstanding season (86 goals on 139 shots, 44 assists, 27 drawn exclusions, 30 steals, 15 field blocks, and 16 of 17 sprints won).
Did anyone watch the Cal game? Just curious how they give up 14 goals to ASU, that is a large number towards the end of the season to a team that just lost to San Jose State.
I was not able to catch the Stanford/UCLA stream yesterday, but I am surprised at how efficient the opposing centers have been against Stanford the last two games. On the other hand, I consider Pearson, Mantellato, Kearns and Yaacobi to be the top four centers currently playing in college.
Stanford has quality center defenders in 6’ 1" Canadian Olympian Serena Brown and US Senior National team member Ella Woodhead, who trained with the Olympic Team last year. I have even seen Neushel guard set effectively in the past. My gut tells me that Tanner and his team will make the necessary adjustments.
I did watch the stream and thought it was great- a very exciting game. The commentary was top notch. I was super impressed by the shooters, but do also feel that their defenders need to figure a few things out.
Great game up at Cal. Cal up over Stanford 5-4 at half. All of the goals coming from the outside.
Stanford absolutely dominated the second half going on a an 8-1 run before Tanner emptied the bench. Freshman Serena Brown with 4 big goals in the second half.
UCLA dominated from center, lots of goals. Steele probably had her best game of the season, blocked two penalties and was a wall in the cage, looked like last year… but now doing it against olympians.
Also Ausmus is fun to watch and a baller. Put the ball in her left hand, cut off a defender, another defender came from the front, she switched the ball to her right hand and turned that defender and I think drew a penalty. Pretty next level
The Overnght stream was very good and really appreciated.
USC and UCLA have seven of the best centers in the country in Kearns, Yaacobi, Gazzaniga, Pearson, Montellato, Struss and Green. UCLA did a much better job of guarding than USC which was the difference in the game.
Ausmus was awesome and UCLA had no one to guard her. Steele in goal was exceptional as well.
