LOS ANGELES, Calif. – In a highly anticipated MPSF opener, No. 2 Stanford (14-1) topped No. 3 USC (14-2) in overtime by the final score of 12-9.
A fourth-quarter rally by USC forced the extra period of play as the Cardinal led by as many as four goals in the contest before the Trojans tallied four of the final five scores. Both teams had chances to net the winning goal in the final minute but the outstanding defenses were on display in the clutch for both sides.
USC goalie Victória Chamorro made two saves in the final minute, one on a great backhanded shot by Ashley Grossman with one minute to play and the other on a quick shot off an exclusion call with 10 seconds left. Stanford forced USC into a long pass with 30 seconds to go that resulted in a turnover.
Stanford showed its toughness in overtime with the defense locking in and not allowing any good looks. Meanwhile, the offense capitalized on its scoring opportunities. Maggie Steffens found Grossman through a tight window as the shot clock winded down for the first goal. Then Stanford displayed a terrific passing sequence that set up Kiley Neushul for an open shot on goal for the second score of the first overtime period.
In the second three-minute overtime period, the only goal came from Jamie Neushul, as she took a pass from her sister Kiley and found the back of the net.
Both teams played terrific defense throughout, forcing the opposing offenses to extend further out and limit passing opportunities that normally lead to good looks at the goal.
Jamie Neushul led all scorers with three goals, while Grossman, Kiley Neushul and Steffens each scored twice. Gabby Stone was tremendous in goal with nine saves.
Three USC players notched two goals in the game and Victória Chamorro recorded six saves in the loss.
The two teams traded goals early in the match with USC holding a 2-1 advantage after the first quarter.
Stanford head coach John Tanner inspired the defense after the first eight minutes as they did not allow a goal the rest of the half. Meanwhile, the Cardinal offense tallied four goals from four different individuals to take a 5-2 halftime lead.
The Trojans struck first in the third period, netting a goal quickly after an exclusion call. Moments later Stanford responded on a beautiful backhanded goal by Jamie Neushul after she snuck behind the defense. USC was able to cut the lead to two goals, but every time they started to come back Stanford had an answer.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Trojans as they outscored the Cardinal 4-1 to tie the game at 9-9. Both teams had chances for the go-ahead goal in the final minute, but the defenses made plays to extend the contest.
Stanford will have a 12-day break before their next match as they focus on finals for the Winter quarter. The Cardinal will be back in the pool on Friday, March 20 when they host Harvard at 7 p.m. in the Avery Aquatic Center.
No. 2 Stanford 12 – No. 3 USC 9 (OT)
No. 2 Stanford vs. No. 3 USC
Mar. 8, 2015 • Los Angeles, Calif.
STAN 1 – 4 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 1 = 12
USC 2 – 0 – 3 – 4 – 0 – 0 = 9
Stanford Goals: Jamie Neushul 3, Maggie Steffens 2, Ashley Grossman 2, Kiley Neushul 2, Jordan Raney, Katie Dudley, Gurpreet Sohi
Stanford Saves: Gabby Stone 9
USC Goals: Monica Vavic 2, Eike Daube 2, Stephania Haralabidis 2, Avery Peterson, Jayde Appel, Jennifer Stiefel
USC Saves: Victória Chamorro 6