LOS ANGELES, CA — A notoriously physical match between rivals USC and UCLA left the host Bruins with a tough 12-7 defeat. A crowd close to 750 spectators watched the No. 3 Trojans capitalize on seven of the Bruins’ nine ejections, and held No. 6 UCLA to only three goals in seven power-play opportunities. With the win, the Trojans’ record increased to 7-2, (1-1 MPSF) while UCLA drops to 6-3, (2-1 MPSF).
After the Bruins’ Brett Stern netted the game’s first goal, USC notched five unanswered points, and were leading 6-2 at the end of the first half. The third quarter was the most productive for both teams, as the Trojans put up five goals and the Bruins countered with three of their own.
Junior driver Marko Pintaric gave UCLA defenders the most trouble, scoring five of USC’s 12 points, including one two-pointer. Redshirt freshman Sean Hylton and sophomore James Castle each added a pair for the Trojans. Bruin senior co-captain Brett Stern and sophomore Brian Bent kept the game interesting with a pair of goals apiece.