LOS ANGELES, California – The Marist water polo team will take on #1 USC in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals on Friday, May 14 at 3 p.m. ET. 

In the opening round of the tournament on Wednesday, the Red Foxes picked up a thrilling 9-8 victory over #23 Salem, which was the program's first NCAA Tournament victory in over 10 years and the first non-consolation NCAA Tournament win the team's history. On Friday, the Red Foxes will be looking to make even more history by pulling off the biggest upset in program history by knocking off the Trojans who are the top ranked team in the country, as well as looking for to advance to the final four for the first time in the history of the program. 
 

WHAT A GAME!!!!!!!

The Red Foxes come from behind and win on a penalty shot from Myriam Lizotte with 6? seconds left in the game!!!!!!

WE'RE MOVIN' ON!!!!! #GoRedFoxes #NCAAWP pic.twitter.com/lTInILlRlP

— Marist Water Polo (@MaristWP) May 12, 2021

 

HOW TO FOLLOW

• Friday's game will be streamed via the NCAA, and you can find it HERE.
• Live Stats will be available via THE FOSH and you can find them HERE.
• Follow along with @MaristWP on twitter for live updates.
• Follow @marist_waterpolo on instagram for updates throughout the trip.

 

FIRST ROUND RECAP

• The Red Foxes opened up play against Salem with two quick goals at the Spieker Aquatics Center.
• The Tigers were able to regain momentum with a 3-0 run and from there would lead throughout the majority of the game.
• Salem had an 8-7 lead with under a minute to go in the contest, but Sawyer Alter connected with India Alter who found the back of the net to tie the game at eight with 50 seconds left on the clock.
• Then, with six seconds left in regulation, Marist received a penalty shot, and Myriam Lizotte converted to advance the Red Foxes into the next round. 
• India Alter led Marist with a game-high five goals.
• Goalkeeper Marina Hyham had eight saves on the day, including some full-extension diving saves down the stretch. 

 

The Red Foxes advance!

Check out some ?? from @MaristWP's first NCAA Tournament victory in over 10 years ??????#GoRedFoxes pic.twitter.com/Kd1SENQ0g7

— Marist Athletics (@MaristAthletics) May 12, 2021

 
 

RIDE THE MOMENTUM

• The Red Foxes are now 9-0 overall heading into Friday's game, and remain undefeated on the season.
• This is the second longest winning streak in program history, with the longest being 12 wins in a row in 2007. 
• It is also the longest Marist has remained undefeated to start a season throughout the history of the program. 
• Head Coach Chris Vidale is fresh off his first NCAA Tournament win in his first attempt at the helm of the Red Foxes. 
• Viktoria Orlova is fresh off being named the MAAC Championships MVP and had four points in Wednesday's victory. Lizotte, an All-Championship Team selection, also had four points in the first round victory and is looking to keep the momentum going into Friday.

 

All ?????? and ?????? in LA today as we celebrate our first round VICTORY over Salem yesterday, and prepare for our quarterfinal matchup against USC tomorrow!#GoRedFoxes pic.twitter.com/lnTb7pdspX

— Marist Water Polo (@MaristWP) May 13, 2021

 

SCOUTING USC

• The Trojans are the top ranked team in the country, and have remained in the #1 spot since the preseason rankings. 
• USC won the NCAA Championship in 2018, and has won seven times in the history of the program. The Trojans have appeared in the tournament 17 consecutive years. 
• Southern California enters this year's tournament with a 19-1 overall record. 
• The Trojans are 34-12 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. 
• Denise Mammolito leads the Trojans in scoring with 45 goals so far this year, followed by Maud Megens with 37, Verica Bakoc with 34, and Grace Tehaney with 30.
• Holly Parker is averaging 8.3 saves and 7.3 goals against as the goalkeeper for the Trojans.

 

WHAT'S NEXT

The Winner of Friday's game will advance to the Final Four and take on the winner of Arizona State/Michigan. The game will be on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. 
 

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