By Jessica Jimenez — Staff Writer
San Jose State women’s water polo fell to No. 1 University of Southern California in a MPSF matchup Friday afternoon at the Uytengsu Aquatic Center, 22-8.
The Trojans (18-0, 1-0 MPSF) began the first quarter with freshman 2-meter defender Tilly Kearns scoring within 21 seconds of play.
The No. 19 Spartans (4-5, 0-1 MPSF) dealt with a slow start in the first quarter with only one goal scored on even strength by sophomore 2-meter defender Tyanna Supreme.
USC freshman driver Alejandra Aznar scored two goals in the first quarter and extended the team’s lead 7-1.
During the second quarter, freshmen utility player Olga Descalzi Portell and 2-meter defender Matilda Moore helped put the Spartans on the scoreboard for two more goals.
Junior utility player Maud Megens faked an impressive shot from the four-meter line in the second quarter and scored six goals total for the Trojans.
SJSU came back in the third quarter as Descalzi Portell and sophomore driver Lili Uvari scored two goals apiece.
Overall, it had 10 turnovers and faced a 47 percent difference in shooting average compared to USC at 75 percent.
In the fourth quarter, Supreme scored the last and final goal for the Spartans on a powerplay.
Goalkeeper freshman Hannah Henry allowed 14 goals while in the cage and was replaced by freshman Anna Maria Luther within 17 seconds of the third quarter.
Next up, the Spartans head to Riverside on Saturday to compete in the Lancer Joust tournament. They’ll have back-to-back games against California Baptist at 9 a.m. and Concordia University at 12 p.m.
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