Nov. 21, 2009

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- Brandon Johnson and Kyle Kruip scored three goals each but seventh-ranked UC Irvine fell to No. 1 USC, 15-9, in an MPSF game in Los Angeles Saturday.

Tom Kruip scored twice and James Frank added one goal in the regular-season finale for the Anteaters (15-11, 3-5 MPSF). Matt Johnson had seven saves in goal.

Tom Kruip scored the game's first goal with 6:52 left in the first quarter and the Anteaters trailed just 3-2 on a Brandon Johnson goal at the 4:20 mark before USC scored two straight to go up 5-2 after one period. The Trojans outscored the Anteaters 6-2 in the second frame to go up 11-4 at halftime.

Peter Kurzeka, J.W. Krumpholz and Justin Rappel scored three goals apiece for the Trojans (22-1, 8-0), who extended their home winning streak to 39.

The MPSF Tournament is Friday through Sunday at USC's McDonald's Swim Stadium.  UCI, the sixth seed, faces No. 3 California in a quarterfinal game at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

UC Irvine  2 - 2 - 2 - 3 = 9
USC         5 - 6 - 2 - 2 = 15

UCI - Brandon Johnson 3, Kyle Kruip 3, Tom Kruip 2, James Frank.

Saves: Matt Johnson (UCI) 7; Joel Dennerley (USC) 9, Kevin Coyne (USC) 2.