USC
Long Beach State
No. 1 USC Drops Long Beach State 12-7
October 18, 2008 | Men's Water Polo
Oct. 18, 2008
LONG BEACH, CALIF. - The top-ranked USC men's water polo team won its 18th straight game of the year, keeping its undefeated record intact with a 12-7 road win over host No. 10 Long Beach State. Trojan junior Shea Buckner grabbed a hat trick in the USC victory, which improves the Trojans to 18-0 overall and 3-0 in MPSF play, while the 49ers go to 9-10, 0-2.
Long Beach State threatened late, cutting USC's lead to two at 7-5 with a score to open the fourth period, but the Trojans scoring muscle took over and outscored the 49ers 5-1 the rest of the way to stymie Long Beach State's hopes.
USC had kicked of the game with a pair of goals while the Trojan defense turned away the 49ers. Peter Kurzeka got USC its opening goal as the Trojans took a 2-0 lead in the game. Long Beach State would get two in the second period, trailing the Trojans 5-2 by halftime. The teams stayed matched in the third with a pair of goals apiece as USC held a 7-4 advantage entering the final frame. That's where the USC offense went big, blasting five goals in the period to keep Long Beach State at bay and take home the MPSF win with a 12-7 decision. USC goalie Joel Dennerley notched 10 saves for the Trojans in the win.
USC will continue MPSF competition next week with another road game, heading to Malibu to face Pepperdine in a 12 p.m. match on Saturday (Oct. 25).
#1 USC 12, #10 Long Beach State 7
USC 2 - 3 - 2 - 5 -- 12
LBSU 0 - 2 - 2 - 3 -- 7
SCORING:
USC - Shea Buckner 3, Jovan Vranes 2, Justin Rappel, J.W. Krumpholz, Peter Kurzeka, Kyle Sterling, Nico Sardo, Tom Money, Matt Sagehorn.
LBSU - Jake Kinne 2, Kevin vanHaaster 2, Justin Koeppen, Aleksander Petrovic, Taylor Clute.
SAVES: Joel Dennerley (USC) 10, Derek Wiebe-Bailey (LBSU) 10.
