STANFORD, Calif. - In another epic edition of one of the best rivalries in women's lacrosse, sophomore Katherine Gjertsen scored at the buzzer to send the game to overtime, but No. 20 Stanford women's lacrosse fell to No. 16 USC in the third extra session, 11-10, on Sunday afternoon at Cagan Stadium.
Six days earlier, in Los Angeles, Gjertsen's potential game-tying goal with one second left was disallowed, and the Trojans beat the Cardinal, 10-9.
On Sunday, it was nearly deja vu. Stanford (8-4, 4-3 Pac-12) trailed by one in the final seconds, and Gjertsen got a shot off as the buzzer sounded. This time it counted.
The two teams were scoreless through the first two overtime sessions, but USC (12-1, 7-0) broke through with the game-winner when Kelsey Huff scored with 17 seconds left in the third overtime.
This marked the fourth time in the last two years that Stanford-USC has been decided by a single goal. That includes Monday and a pair of three-overtime games (last season on The Farm, Stanford defeated USC in the third overtime). Each of the last eight meetings has been decided by three goals or less, and USC now leads the all-time series, 7-6.
These two teams could potentially meet again at the Pac-12 Tournament in Eugene, Ore., April 25-28. Tickets are here.
Hottest rivalry in lacrosse right now.
— Stanford Lacrosse (@StanfordWLax) April 1, 2019
It was another epic battle with USC.
???? highlights | #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/uGMI0vgHae
How It Happened
Neither team led by more than two, and USC never led by more than one.
Gjertsen, who scored at the buzzer of both halfs, opened the scoring for Stanford for the third straight game. She gave Stanford the first lead of the game just four minutes into the contest.
USC scored a pair, but junior Mikaela Watson tied the game at the 18:26 mark, and sophomore Ali Baiocco placed two in a row in the back of the net for a 4-2 lead midway through the half.
The Trojans answered with three in a row, but Baiocco tied it, and then Gjertsen scored with one second left in the half for a 6-5 lead at the break.
Sophomore Galen Lew scored four minutes into the second half for a two-goal lead, but USC scored four of the next five and led 9-8 with 6:38 to play.
Junior Daniella McMahon tied a career-high with three assists, including Gjertsen's game-tying goal with 5:25 to go.
USC scored with 1:46 left to take at 10-9 lead, and then won the ensuing draw control, but Stanford forced a turnover. As the clock wound down, Gjertsen shot wide, but senior Genesis Lucero hustled to the end line to maintain possession. Lucero quickly fired to Gjertsen in front of the net, and Gjertsen tapped the ball passed the goal line just before the buzzer sounded.
Behind senior Julia Massaro, who finished with the third-most draw controls in a game in school history (nine), Stanford won all three draw controls in the overtime periods, but was unable to score. The Trojans finally ended it after 8:43 of overtime action.
By the Numbers
Gjertsen tied a career-high with four goals for the fourth time this season, while Baiocco recorded a hat trick and four points (one assist). Watson also finished with four points (two goals, two assists).
McMahon and junior Kyra Pelton led the Cardinal with five ground balls and three caused turnovers apiece. Pelton and Lucero also won three draw controls each.
Sophomore goalkeeper Trudie Grattan made six saves.
USC led in shots, 27-22, and ground balls, 29-24, but Stanford held a 15-9 advantage in draw controls.
Next Up
Stanford wraps up its three-game homestand with its final non-conference game against San Diego State on Thursday at 4 p.m. The Cardinal then closes out the 2019 regular season with three Pac-12 contests, beginning with a trip to Colorado on April 12 and Oregon on April 14. Senior Day is set for April 19 against Cal.
#GoStanford