Trojan Offense Shuts Down No. 11 Michigan At Convergence Tournament

Friday, March 6

Claremont, Calif.

2:00 p.m.

USC

Michigan

Southern California

Trojan Offense Shuts Down No. 11 Michigan At Convergence Tournament

March 06, 2026 | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The USC women's water polo team came out firing to kick off the Convergence Tournament on Friday afternoon. The Trojans offense continuously found the back of the cage against No. 11 Michigan to take down the Wolverines 25-9.

#3 USC 25, #11 Michigan 9
The Women of Troy used a dominant offensive performance and a big first and third quarter to pull away from Michigan, earning a 25-9 victory.

Michigan opened the game with two quick goals to take the early lead, but the Trojans responded immediately. Ashley Kwan and Alma Yaacobi each scored to even the game before Rachel Gazzaniga put USC in front midway through the first quarter. The Trojans continued to build momentum as Ava Stryker, Emily Ausmus, and Kwan added goals during a fast scoring run. Meghan McAninch capped the quarter with a goal in the closing seconds to give USC a commanding 9-3 lead after the first period.

USC continued to control the pace in the second. Stryker converted on a power play early in the quarter before Ausmus and Natalia Blazavic added even-strength goals. Morgan Netherton later finished a 6-on-5 opportunity off an assist from Gazzaniga as the Trojans pushed their advantage to 13-5 at halftime.

The Trojans pulled away decisively in the third period. Yaacobi opened the half with a goal before Ausmus scored on both a penalty shot and a power play. Sinia Plotz, Blazevic, Stryker, and Gazzaniga also found the back of the cage as USC scored eight times in the quarter to extend the lead to 21-6 entering the final period.

USC continued its offensive push in the fourth, with goals from Yaacobi, Hannah Carver, Gazzaniga, and Stryker to seal the 25-9 win.

Notables

Ava Stryker went 5-for-6 in the contest and added three drawn exclusions to lead the offense.
Alma Yaacobi matched her career high with four goals.
Emily Ausmus and Rachel Gazzaniga each added four goals to the stat sheet.
Gazzaniga and Morgan Netherton each tallied four helpers.
USC went 8-for-9 on the power play.
Kara Carver made her collegiate debut and scored her first career goal.

Scoring
Ava Stryker (5), Alma Yaacobi (4), Emily Ausmus (4), Rachel Gazzaniga (4), Ashley Kwan (2), Natalia Blazevic (2), Sinia Plotz (1), Morgan Netherton (1), Meghan McAninch (1), Kara Carver (1)

Saves
Anna Reed (5), Lauren Schneider (3)

Up Next
The Trojans will continue play at the Convergence Tournament on Saturday. The Women of Troy will play a doubleheader against LIU and Villanova at 11:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. respectively.