LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The UC Davis women's lacrosse team (7-3, 0-1 Pac-12) dropped their first Pac-12 league game to No. 17 USC, 21-13 on Saturday afternoon.
Grace Gebhardt was masterful despite the defeat, scoring five goals for the third time this season and adding on two assists.
The Trojans controlled possession for the majority of the game, winning 27 of 37 draw controls, which contributed to the home team's 35-16 shot on goal advantage. Ashley Laing was active in the goal, saving 14 USC shots and scooping two ground balls.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Claire Moats tapped in a lob pass from Gebhardt to open the scoring, but USC quickly rallied with three goals to take back the lead. Gebhardt got the Aggies back on track a few minutes later, splitting two defenders for the Aggies' second goal of the day, then firing in a free-position shot to bring the contest level at three.
Following a strong defensive stand, Moats and Gebhardt connected for a second time to return the lead to the visiting side. A possession later, the Aggies drew three free-position chance before Natalie Markman put in a score to extend the UC Davis lead to two, 5-3.
USC responded with a score and regained possession on the draw, eventually earning a free-position chance that Laing faced bravely, turning the shot away to maintain the UC Davis 5-4 lead at the end of the period.
The Aggies were unable to hold the lead for long, as the relentless Trojan attack netted two scores out of the quarter break. Cami Johnson found Ella Brislin for a score, but it didn't slow the USC momentum, as the Trojans rattled off four straight goals to finish the half ahead 10-6.
Gebhardt and Brislin scored to counter two USC scores to begin the second half, then USC clawed back to within three after Gebhardt and Rhea Cosand found the back of the net. USC finished the period with a late score to maintain the four goal difference, 14-10.
The Trojans rolled in the fourth, scoring seven goals to UC Davis' three, finishing the game ahead by eight, 21-13. Brislin scored twice in the period to finish with four goals, and Gebhardt put in her fifth.
UP NEXT
The Aggies return home for a conference game against San Diego State on Saturday, Mar. 23 at 12PM. These teams squared off last month in San Diego, with UC Davis coming out on to, 19-11.
