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No. 1 USC Holds Court At Home, Tops Pacific 12-6
Nov. 7, 2008
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The top-ranked USC men's water polo team took another step toward closing out an undefeated season at home thanks to a 12-6 MPSF win over visiting No. 18 Pacific on Friday night at McDonald's Swim Stadium. Now rolling with a 32-game home winning streak, the Trojans (21-0, 6-0 MPSF) will take on No. 4 California tomorrow for their final home match of the year, putting a fourth consecutive undefeated home run within reach. USC clashes with Cal at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 8). In tonight's matchup against the Tigers, USC had eight different players score in the win, led by three goals from Shea Buckner a pair apiece from Jovan Vranes and Anthony Artukovich, while goalies Joel Dennerley and Brett Giery combined for 11 saves in the game. The Trojans opened up with a 2-0 lead in the first period, getting an early strike from Jovan Vranes and then a 5-meter penalty shot earned by Jordan Thompson and finished off by Shea Buckner with just 14 seconds left in the frame. Pacific was able to cut back into things, however. The Tigers pushed through on a 6-on-5 early in the second period to make it 2-1 and then leveled things on a 5-meter penalty shot of their own, converted by Austin Delong to make it 2-2 at 5:11. USc would score three straight to get back into control of the game, as Justin Rappel stole back the lead on a solo strike and then J.W. Krumpholz took a pass into set from Kyle Sterling and ripped in a bar-in score on USC's next possession. Matt Sagehorn blasted a shot off the foul next, slamming the ball home to make it 5-2 USC at 3:31. Pacific got another 6-on-5 score to go on its ensuing possession, only to see the Trojans peel off on a 5-0 scoring run that spanned halftime.
Buckner put in a pair during the run - one off a Peter Kurzeka assist and the second on another 5-meter penalty. Vranes' second goal came during the stretch as well, while Kurzeka and Artukovich each rocketed in scores to take USC ahead 10-3 by the 4:44 mark of the third period. The Tigers wrapped two goals around a score from Nico Sardo to make it 11-5 USC entering the final period of play. In the fourth, Pacific was set up with a string of 6-on-5 opportunities. Meanwhile, Artukovich got to the back of the net on USC's first power play chance of the fourth to make it 12-5 before Pacific managed a 6-on-5 strike from Grant Hollis - his second goal of the day - to round out the final as a 12-6 USC victory. Eyes now turn to the Trojans' clash with Cal on Saturday (Nov. 8) at 2:30 p.m., when USC puts its undefeated overall record and home win streak up against the Bears at McDonald's Swim Stadium. #1 USC 12, #18 Pacific 6 SCORING: SAVES: Joel Dennerley (USC) 5, Brett Giery (USC) 6, Brian Domecus (PAC) 9. |
