#17 USC defeated #22 Colorado 12-3 to clinch their (history) Pac-12 Championship Sunday afternoon at Pape Field. Trojans were lead by Kelsey Huff’s 3 goal game and Riley Hertford’s 11 saves. USC finishes their regular season with a 16-3 record and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Trojans got off to a 7-0 lead before CU’s Miranda Stinson scored to get Colorado on the board. But the lead was too large as SC outscored Colorado 5-2 in the 2nd half.

Goaltender Hertford’s strong performance included stuffing shots in front of the crease and making long range saves. USC played a stifling defense which featured a tight zone in front of Hertford.

After the game, Kerrigan Miller was awarded the Pac-12 tournament MVP. Miller opened the scoring in the championship game and added 3 assists as well. She finished the tournament with 4 points in 2 games.

USC gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament with the conference title win. The Trojans will be a tough team to beat having just won the conference championship and are currently ranked #17 in the nation.The NCAA tournament schedule will be released soon, but the NCAA D1 Championship will take place May 24-26th Homewood Field in Baltimore, Maryland.

Game Story (by Brenten Kelly)

Post Game Audio

Colorado Head Coach Ann Elliot Whidden

USC Head Coach Lindsey Munday

Kerrigan Miller

Kelsey Huff