Stanford holds on against Southern California, sets up rematch in title game

2015 NC Women's Water Polo Championship
Championship Highlights
Stanford repeats as national champion vs. UCLA
Reger: Senior leaders step up when Stanford needed it
Reger: UCLA goalie Hill improves after year away
Semifinals Highlights
Stanford sets up title-game rematch with UCLA
Reger: Carrega a ‘perfect match' at California
UCLA tops Cal to clinch 10th trip to title game
First round Highlights
Reger: Big West gaining ground on powerhouse MPSF
California escapes UC Irvine on McKee goal
UCLA advances to semifinals for fifth consecutive year
Reger: Kistler a pleasant surprise for UC San Diego
Southern California stomps Hawaii in quarterfinals
Stanford rolls by Princeton, advances to semis
Reger: Stanford looks to become first host champion
Brackets: Interactive | Printable

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Stanford moved one step closer to repeating as NCAA champions, outlasting Southern California 9-8 on Saturday afternoon in NCAA semifinal action at Avery Aquatic Center.

Stanford (24-2, 6-0 MPSF) has booked a spot in Sunday’s national final opposite UCLA. It’s a rematch of last year’s NCAA title contest, in which the Cardinal defeated the Bruins 9-5.

The title game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Tied 3-3, Stanford built a 5-4 advantage heading into halftime. The Cardinal led 8-5 through three periods and did enough to hold off the Trojans in the final stanza.

Maggie Steffens scored a game-high four goals. Ashley Grossman and Jordan Rainey added two goals while Kiley Neushul contributed one score.