Stanford women fall to USC in NCAA water-polo final

Stephania Haralabidis scored her fifth goal of the day with six seconds remaining to lift top-ranked USC (26-0) to an 8-7 victory over Stanford in the NCAA women’s water-polo championship in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The No. 2 Cardinal (23-6) had erased a two-goal deficit in the final minute as Kat Klass scored twice, the second goal coming with 11 seconds to play.

Stanford (25-21, 11-13 Pac-12) lost 8-3 in the the rubber match of its three-game series at Utah (20-25, 15-9).

Anthony Villa homered and drove in four runs as host St. Mary’s (27-22, 15-9) won 6-4 over Pepperdine (25-21, 14-10) to qualify for the WCC’s four-team tournament, which will be played May 26-28 in Stockton.

Menlo School alum Michaela Michael had three goals and two assists to lead host USC (20-0) to a 14-8 win over Stanford (15-5) in the second round of the NCAA tournament.