March 6, 2010

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The No. 4-ranked California women's water polo team lost to No. 1-ranked USC 7-4 Saturday at McDonald's Swim Stadium. This was the second time in a week the Golden Bears fell to the Trojans, dropping a 10-5 decision last Sunday in the semi-finals of the UC Irvine Invitational. Senior Camille Hewko led Cal with two goals, while, defensively, sophomore goalie Stephanie Peckham added nine saves. With the loss, the Bears fall to 14-5 on the season and 2-2 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation league play.

USC struck first, taking a 2-0 lead early in the first quarter. Senior Stephanie Schnugg scored Cal's first goal with 1:29 remaining in the opening period, but the Women of Troy added one more goal to increase the lead to 3-1. The Bears were shut out in the second period, as USC scored two more goals to take a 5-1 lead into halftime.

Cal was able to outscore the Trojans 2-1 in the third quarter on goals from Hewko and sophomore Emily Csikos, cutting USC's lead to 6-3 before the final period. In the fourth quarter, Hewko scored her second goal of the match, bringing the Bears within two of the Women of Troy. However, USC added one more goal before the end of the game to increase the score to 7-4.

Cal will next travel to San Diego, Calif. for the Aztec Invitational on Sat. and Sun. Mar. 13-14 at the Aztec Aquaplex. The Bears will first play host San Diego State at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday in a MPSF matchup. They will then face Princeton at 4:45 p.m. for their first game of the tournament. On Sunday, Cal opens against Marist at 9:15 a.m. and will conclude its weekend with a 3:30 p.m. match with Maryland.

California: 1-0-2-1 --- 4
USC: 3-2-1-1 --- 7
California Goals: Camille Hewko 2, Stephanie Schnugg, Emily Csikos
USC Goals: Joelle Bekhazi 3, Patricia Jancso 2, Alexandra Kiss, Forel Davies
California Saves: Stephanie Peckham 9
USC Saves: Tumua Anae 13