LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The men's water polo team fell to top-ranked USC on Sunday. In a defensive-filled affair, the Orange and Black fell just short at Uytengsu Aquatics Center as the Tigers ceded a 7-4 second half to the Trojans to fall to 10-8 overall, 2-0 on the year.
No. 1 USC rallies to their 25th win of the season and sits with an overall record of 25-1, 0-1 in conference.
In Case You Missed It:
- Pacific kept things close for the majority of the match trailing USC by just two to end the first half of play.
- UOP would trade scores with the Trojans in the third period, 3-4, which gave USC a three-point advantage heading into the final frame.
- The Trojans would capitalize on three straight goals in the fourth to jump out to a 10-4 lead and finish the match.
- Junior Luis Araya paved the way for the Tigers leading all scorers with three goals on the day.
First Period:
- A stern defense on both ends forced the two teams to struggle offensively. Nine shots were taken in the period but only two were converted, both of which by the Trojans.
- The Tigers had six shots on goal in the opening period but just couldn't find the back end. Pacific also fell victim to some bad luck as Luke Pavillard hit the post on two consecutive shots which would have tied the game at 1-1.
- Pacific finished the period down 2-0 to USC.
Second Period:
- Both teams would go 14 straight drives without a goal before the Trojans opened it up with a goal in the 2nd minute.
- UOP quickly responded with 1:48 to go as Araya put the Tigers on the board off a deep pass from keeper John Hedges.
- The Tigers would head into halftime in good position, down two to USC.
Third Period:
- Following a Trojan goal, Araya (5:58) notched his second score of the day on the following drive to keep the Tigers in reach, 4-2.
- The Trojans would go 2-0 unanswered but Jonathan Cooper helped UOP get back on track with a powerplay goal at the 2:47 mark.
- Freshman Aidan Jang answered another USC goal in the final minute of the third at even strength (:48).
- The Tigers would keep chipping away slicing the lead to three, 4-7.
Fourth Period:
- The Trojans made a pivotal run in the final frame tallying three goals to widen the margin to 10-4.
- Araya punched in the Tigers final goal of the game (2:43) following a field block by Cooper.
- USC would run down the clock and rally to victory after that point.
Notables:
- Araya had a day for the Orange and Black with a hat trick. This was the third hat trick of the year for the Stockton, CA native. Araya also tallied three steals, also a team-best on Sunday.
- John Hedges recorded nine saves in the match. That makes it 10 straight matches where the redshirt sophomore has recorded five or more saves in the cage.
- Jonathan Cooper has found his stride for UOP as of late. The freshman is on a streak of four matches where he has driven in a goal. Cooper is currently second on the team in freshman scoring with nine goals.
- Aidan Jang registered his first goal since the Tigers' opening weekend against Harvard (Sept. 2). Jang now has six goals for the Orange and Black.
Up Next For the Tigers:
- The Tigers host their final home match of the year next Friday, Nov. 2, as they take on eighth-ranked Long Beach State.
- The 49ers are 7-11 on the year and 0-2 in GCC play.
- Pacific will play the Beach at Chris Kjeldsen at 7:00 PM next Friday.
For the latest on Pacific men's water polo athletics make sure to visit the Tigers via social media on Twitter and Instagram.
