Stanford, UCLA Advance to Semifinals of NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament
The quarterfinals of the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament featured the top four seeds advancing to the semifinals during Friday action at the famed Indiana University Natatorium. Top seeded Stanford and defending champion UCLA could be on a collision course to meet in the title game after securing victories in their opening contests.
Here’s a look at the quarterfinal results.
Stanford 28, Wagner 6
Juliette Dhalluin
No. 1 seeded Stanford scored 10 times in the opening period and cruised over Wagner, which advanced to Indianapolis by beating McKendree in an opening-round matchup. Stanford received scoring from 13 players and received hat tricks from Alissa Pascual, Juliette Dhalluin, Maggie Hawkins, Ella Woodhead and Ryann Neushul.
Carlota Alonso scored twice for Wagner.
Hawaii 8, Cal 7
A three-goal fourth quartet enabled fourth-seeded Hawaii to rally from behind and take down Cal-Berkeley. Jordan Wedderburn, Ema Vernoux and Bernadette Doyle scored in the final period for Hawaii, which stormed back from a 6-5 deficit through three quarters. Alia Burlock, Wedderburn, Vernoux and Doyle all scored twice for Hawaii. Goalie Talia Fonseca made nine saves.
Cal was paced by Eszter Varro, who registered a hat trick.
UCLA 11, Loyola-Marymount 8
Defending champion UCLA was tested by Loyola-Marymount, but the Bruins kept LMU off the scoreboard in the final quarter to register a three-goal triumph. Emma Lineback fired in five goals for UCLA, the second seed, while Bia Mantellato added three scores. Goalie Lauren Steele was credited with nine saves.
Ruth Arino Ruiz had five goals and Carolina Magano tallied three times to account for the Loyola-Marymount scoring.
USC 18, Harvard 7
The third-seeded University of Southern California found the net five times in each of the first two quarters to build a big lead and was never threatened. Emily Ausmus and Ava Stryker scored three times each for the Trojans, who received three assists from Rachel Gazzaniga.
Ruby Hodge led Harvard with three goals.
Semifinals (Saturday, May 10)
Stanford vs. Hawaii – Noon
UCLA vs. USC – 2 p.m.
The semifinals will be streamed on NCAA.com
