Stanford, Calif.-----Anna Natalizio scored the only goal for San Jose State University in an 8-1 loss to the University of Southern California in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Women's Water Polo Tournament quarterfinal round match.

            The #6-seeded Spartans (18-12) trailed the entire contest after the #3-seeded  Trojans scored the first two goals of the match in the first quarter. Natalizio's even-strength goal came at the start of the second quarter and cut the deficit to 2-1.

            USC (20-4) broke the match open in the third quarter with four scores including Monica Vavic's second goal of the match on a penalty shot at 6:49. The Trojans scored twice on penalty shots and two more times on power play opportunities. USC was 2-of-10 in 6-on-5 situations in defeating San Jose State for the third time this season.

         "We played hard and showed a lot of heart. We gave up two goals early, but still hung in there. At halftime, it was only 3-1," began San Jose State head coach Lou Tully. "Coming out in the second half, USC pressed really hard. We wanted to drive harder to get ejections, because we were getting killed on the ejection board. We were doing a pretty good job of stopping their 6-on-5's."

           San Jose State goalkeeper Meagan Minson kept the match close, particularly in the first half and was credited with 11 saves. USC starting goalkeeper Flora Bolonyai also made 11 saves.

        "Meagan did a fabulous job (in goal). (On offense)We made mistakes and weren't creating. That's what makes it hard, continually going down (to the offensive end) with no reward.

           The Spartans will take on San Diego State in a consolation bracket match, Saturday, April 28, at 12:30 p.m. The teams split a pair of matches in regular-season play.

           

San Jose State (18-12) 0-1-0-0=1
USC (20-4)     2-1-4-1=8

Goal scoring
San Jose State - Anna Natalizio, 1.
USC - Patricia Jancso, 2; Monica Vavic, 2; Dominique Sardo, 1; Nicolina McCall, 1; Blair Moody, 1; Colleen O'Donnell, 1.

Goalkeeper saves
San Jose State - Meagan Minson
USC - Flora Bolonyai, Morgan Vickers, .

Ejections
San Jose State - 14
USC - 9