No. 3 Women’s Water Polo Takes Down No. 7 Long Beach State To Reach BKI Semifinal

Friday, February 13

Irvine, CA

4:30 p.m.

USC

10-1

Long Beach State

7-6

Long Beach State

Southern California

Photo by: Nicole Hourigan

No. 3 Women’s Water Polo Takes Down No. 7 Long Beach State To Reach BKI Semifinal

February 13, 2026 | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. - The USC women's water polo team opened up play at the annual Barbara Kalbus Invitational on Friday evening. The quarterfinal game matched the Trojans up with No. 7 Long Beach State, marking the third contest between the two teams in as many weeks.

In a close contest, Ava Stryker scored on the power play for her fourth goal of the game to ice it and give USC a 13-11 victory over The Beach to advance to the semifinal game.

#3 USC 13, LBSU 11
The Women of Troy took on Long Beach State in a tight matchup that came down to the final minutes on day one of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.

USC struck first behind a goal from Meghan McAninch, but the Beach answered to keep it even early. Emily Ausmus and Ava Stryker helped the Trojans settle in offensively, and USC held a one goal lead after the opening frame.

Stryker converted a penalty, and EJ Hourigan added another to keep USC in front, but Long Beach State stayed within reach heading into halftime.

Out of the break, USC created some separation. Natalia Blazevic scored at even strength, and the Trojans capitalized on the power play with goals from Sinia Plotz and Alma Yaacobi. Ava Knepper closed the third with a late tally for a five goal quarter heading into the fourth.

Long Beach State made one final push in the last eight minutes, trimming it into a one-goal game. Morgan Netherton responded with a key finish, and Stryker sealed it on a power play goal in the final minute off an assist from Rachel Gazzaniga as USC held on for the win.

Notables

Ava Stryker scored four goals and added an assist for her second five-point performance in as many games.
Rachel Gazzaniga matched her career high with three assists.
Nine different Trojans found the back of the net in the win.

Scoring: Ava Stryker (4), Emily Ausmus (2), Sinia Plotz (1), Meghan Netherton (1), Alma Yaacobi (1), Meghan McAninch (1), Ava Knepper (1), Natalia Blazevic (1), EJ Hourigan (1)

Saves: Anna Reed (6), Lauren Schneider (1)

Up Next:
The Trojans have a rematch with the UCLA Bruins on deck in the semifinal round of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational. The game is set for 4:30 p.m. at the Anteater Aquatics Complex.