LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Aggie offense was held in check on Saturday afternoon, as the USC Trojans advanced to the MPSF Invitational semifinals with a commanding 9-3 victory. The Aggies move on to play No. 4 Pepperdine University Saturday night at 5:00 p.m. The winner of that contest advances to Sunday's fifth-place game.
USC found the back of the net twice in the first period to take a 2-0 advantage into the second period.
After a Trojan goal gave USC a three goal lead to open the second quarter, Aleix Aznar Beltran found the back of the net to draw back within two. Aaron Voggenthaler scored soon after to cut the lead down to just one. Beltran's second of the day countered a fourth goal for the Trojans, but a goal just seconds before the half built the lead back out for USC.
Neither team scored in the third period as both defenses locked in coming out of the break.
The Trojans ran away with the game in the fourth quarter, putting in four goals while keeping the Aggie offense silent for yet another eight minute stretch.
Aaron Wilson turned in a fantastic performance protecting the net, saving 22 of USC's 36 shots and coming away with two steals. The All-American goalie held the Trojans scoreless in the third quarter and allowed just nine goals in the game.
