An early start means a quick advantage.

But the game isn’t over until the clock runs out.

No. 3 UCLA women’s water polo (18-3, 4-2 MPSF) fell to No. 1 USC (21-2, 6-0) 13-11 on Saturday afternoon at Uytengsu Aquatics Center in Los Angeles. The crosstown rivalry and final conference match of the season determined seeding for the MPSF tournament, ultimately relegating UCLA to No. 3, despite a handful of scenarios that would have awarded the Bruins No. 1.

Despite losing the opening sprint and giving up a goal in the first 20 seconds, the Bruins maintained a strong front, tying up the game with a goal from sophomore attacker Tali Stryker. Senior center Bia Mantellato put one away to give UCLA the lead three minutes into the game, and a little over 60 seconds later, redshirt sophomore center Dania Innis capitalized and won on a one-on-one against USC goalie Anna Reed.

The Bruins ended the first quarter leading by two, after the Trojans failed to capitalize on power plays and a penalty shot.

“They started the game with good energy. They were attacking confidently,” said interim co-head coach Jason Falitz. “They were able to string together multiple passes. We weren’t panicking. We forced the other team to play defense, and we get on our legs, and we go to the goal. I’m trying to tell them to play freely.”

However, momentum began to shift during the second quarter.

USC won the second sprint, drew a penalty and put it away with a goal from Emily Ausmus. Almost halfway into the quarter, the Trojans scored again to tie up the game.

After a succession of wide and blocked shots from both sides, UCLA drew an exclusion and earned a power play using quick passes, before the ball found its way back to Innis at the post to find the back of the net.

However, throughout the match, the Bruins failed to capitalize on several power plays, going 3-for-7.

“There were some players who thought they had to do more than they needed,” Falitz said. “When you’re up a player, the strength is using the whole group. So when you fake the ball and draw the defense and then decide you’re going to shoot against multiple blocks, it’s a problem. We did that a few times. If you do that and your teammates are not expecting it, it allows them to get out in transition, which they did.”

Yet the Trojans were able to take advantage of their following power play opportunity with 36 seconds left in the third quarter, tying the game up before a one-on-one shot from Rachel Gazzaninga flew by junior goalkeeper Lauren Steele.

Steele – who posted ten saves on Saturday – acknowledged the opportunities the Bruins gave up and the free passes they allowed.

“We practice to try to not to let anything affect us,” Steele said. “Try not to let the crowd, the band, the atmosphere affect you. But it’s definitely different and something we have to mentally prepare for.”

As the third quarter progressed, goals and exclusions from both teams kept the match close, resulting in the Bruins trailing by one as they prepared to enter the final eight minutes. As the match went on, both sides’ fans grew louder and rowdier.

A packed stadium set the scene for the rivalry match. Set to the background of the USC band and the ringing of the Victory Bell, emotions ran high on the Trojans’ senior day.

Despite the Trojans coming away with the sprint for the fourth and final time of the match, the Bruins struck first in the fourth quarter to tie the game.

However, USC went on a 3-1 scoring run, taking a two-point lead and forcing UCLA to take a timeout. After another pair of goals from each team, the Trojans were awarded a penalty after a foul from Steele, converting it to take a four-point lead with one minute left on the clock.

Even with two more goals from junior attacker Elektra Urbatsch and Mantellato, the Bruins failed to get back into the game.

“It’s really important that everyone uses this as motivation,” said redshirt senior attacker Emma Lineback. “It’s going to hurt today, and it might hurt tomorrow, but then come Monday, when we’re training again, we can’t be dwelling on the mistakes that were made here. We’ll learn from them, but we need to move forward, and we’ll get another chance at them.”

Lineback, who delivered two goals, also acknowledged a few of the Bruins’ issues.

“We didn’t have patience in our attack like we normally do,” Lineback said. “Every time that we are able to keep the ball dry and set each other up and work until the last few seconds, we have success. Today we rushed a little bit in moments where we normally are more composed.”

Despite the loss, UCLA is still remaining focused on the future.

With the upcoming MPSF tournament and the possibility of a national championship on the line, the squad now has the opportunity to grow moving forward.

“This is a really experienced group,” Falitz said. “I have nothing but trust and faith in all of them, but they have to prove they can do it. … This could be the greatest thing for us moving forward – as long as we learn from it – and we’re ready to execute next weekend.”