The UCLA women’s water polo team lost 13-11 to top-ranked USC in their regular-season finale on April 4 at Uytengsu Aquatics Center. With this result, USC secured the top seed for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Championship Tournament, while UCLA will enter as the No. 3 seed.
This match was important for both teams as it determined their seeding heading into the MPSF Championship Tournament. The outcome could influence each team’s path through the postseason and their chances at a conference title.
Five Bruins scored two goals each, including Dania Innis, Emma Lineback, Bia Mantellato, Taylor Smith, and Elektra Urbatsch. Lauren Steele made 11 saves for UCLA. For USC, Emily Ausmus led all scorers with five goals and Ava Stryker added three more. Anna Reed had eight saves in goal for the Trojans.
UCLA started strong with a 3-1 lead after one quarter but saw USC tie and then take a halftime lead following several successful power plays and penalty shots by Ausmus. The second half remained close until late in the fourth quarter when USC pulled ahead by scoring four times in just over four minutes.
Looking ahead, UCLA will begin play at the MPSF Tournament hosted by California on Friday, April 10 against No. 6 seed Indiana at 12:45 p.m.
