Second-Half Surge Carries Stanford Over USC for NCAA Women’s Water Polo Title
For the 10th time in school history, Stanford reigns as the champion of the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament.
The top-seeded Cardinal (25-1) wrapped up a dominant season on Sunday by claiming an 11-7 victory over the University of Southern California at the Indiana University Natatorium. Stanford is the only program to have appeared in every NCAA Tournament since its 2001 inception, and its latest championship was its third in four seasons.
Stanford and USC met four times this season and the Trojans placed the only blemish on the Cardinal’s record. However, during the title game in Indianapolis, Stanford had too much. Although USC surged to a 3-1 lead in the opening quarter, Stanford managed to tie the game by halftime, and then outscored the Trojans during the second half, 5-1.
Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Juliette Dhalluin led the Cardinal with three goals and an assist and Jenna Flynn added two goals and two assists. Kamryn Barone and Serena Brown each packaged two goals and an assist. Stanford also received goals from Ryann Neushul (two assists) and Jewel Roemer. Goalie Christine Carpenter was credited with nine saves.
In addition to capturing 10 championships, Stanford has been the NCAA runnerup on eight occasions.
Third-seeded USC received a pair of goals from Meghan McAninch while Emily Ausmus had a goal and two assists. USC has appeared in 14 NCAA finals, winning six.
All-Tournament Team (Most Valuable Player): Christine Carpenter (Stanford).
All-Tournament (First Team): Ryann Neushul(Stanford), Jenna Flynn(Stanford), Emma Lineback (UCLA), Tilly Kearns (USC), Rachel Gazzaniga (USC), Bernadette Doyle (Hawai’i), Christine Carpenter(Stanford).
All-Tournament (Second Team): Ava Stryker (USC), Anna Pearson (UCLA), Jordan Wedderburn (Hawai’i), Eszter Varro (California), Ruby Hodge (Harvard), Ruth Arino Ariz (Loyola Marymount), Anna Reed (USC).