LOS ANGELES – The No. 2 Cardinal fell to No. 3 USC in overtime this afternoon, dropping the battle 18-16. Soren Jensen led the way for the Cardinal, scoring four times and adding five assists.
Stanford and USC were level in the first half, heading into the break even at 6-6 with each quarter even at 3-3 as well.
The Trojans took a slight advantage in the third, leading 10-9 heading into the final quarter of play.
A 4-3 Cardinal advantage in the fourth sent the game to overtime, thanks to Ryan Ohl’s heave from the Stanford end of the pool to tie the game with under two minutes left.
Five goals from the Trojans in overtime made for an 18-16 final score.
Alex Gheorghe finished with four goals, as nine members of the Cardinal found the back of the net.
The loss sends Stanford to the MPSF Third-Place Game tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. PT against the loser of this afternoon’s other semifinal between No. 1 UCLA and No. 7 California.
No. 2 Stanford vs. No. 3 USC
USC 3 – 3 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 = 18
STAN 3 – 3 – 3 – 4 – 0 – 3 = 16
STAN Goals: S. Jensen (4), A. Gheorghe (4), D. McFarland (2), J. Painter, B. Balogh, E. Parrish, C. McFarland, R. Pittman, R. Ohl
USC Goals: C. Kranz (4), S. Brankovic (2), M. Miller (2), J. Martin (2), B. Herzer, A. Grgurevic, J. Vort