Good morning! USC or… WRU? Jordan Addison was selected 23rd overall to the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the fourth Trojan receiver to be drafted in as many years. But he’s the only one playing alongside All-Pro Justin Jefferson next year.

What all can you find in today's Brew?

⛳️ Lookin’ for No. 21
🚣‍♀️ Down the stream
⚔️ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 For All The Marbles. The 20th ranked lacrosse program in the nation is just one win away from capturing the outright Pac-12 regular season title. It’s been three years since USC has been the top dog, but a win against Arizona State would change that in a heartbeat.

The 11-3 squad will face off against the Sun Devils later today at 3:00 in Tempe, AZ to determine their fate. If history repeats itself (which it tends to usually do), it should be no problem for the Trojans. USC beat ASU earlier in the season with ease, in a not-so-close 17-6 result at home. Defense has been a big factor for the Trojans’ success with reigning DPOY Olivia Dooley leading the way. USC has forced the 8th most turnovers in the NCAA, and goalie Kait Devir ranks in the top four of goals allowed with 7.9 per game.

The Trojans need a win in order to avoid sharing the regular season title with Stanford, and all signs indicate that USC is going to get it done. A win here would propel USC with lots of momentum heading into the Pac-12 tournament where the number one seed would look to grab yet another title.

🔼 Twenty-One. The Trojans head to the tee boxes this weekend in Stanford, CA for the Pac-12 Championship. The traditional six play, five scores count format will start with two rounds on Friday and additional rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Sophomore Jackson Rivera comes into the tournament with back-to-back-to-back top team finishes, including a thirteen-under par round in Tucson earlier this season. The freshman standout, Mahanth Chirravuri leads USC in stroke average on the season (72.8) and is tied for the lead with 15 tournament rounds at par or better. Rounding out the lineup are seniors Parker Sisk and Jack Boulger, junior Krando Nishiba, and Gavin Aurilia.

In its history, USC golf holds the most Pac-12 titles in the conference at 20, but will be seeking its first since the 2018 season. By the time you are likely reading this, the Trojans’ will probably have teed off, with a start at 7:00am. If you are in fact reading this before then, props to you, and get ready for some golf!

🔼 Down The Stream. USC’s rowing teams takes to Eugene, OR this weekend to compete in the Dexter Lake Invitational in their first action since the Ivy League Invitational.

Last year, USC had three boats compete with their best finish of the tournament at third place. This year, the 17th ranked team comes into the event with four first place finishes, and some impressive marks from the Second Varsity Eight and Varsity Eight squads. This event will be the last before the Pac-12 Championship later in May, so getting reps in now will be key. Follow along live this weekend on socials to see if the Trojans can pull out a couple more wins.

🔼 On To The Next. Both men’s and women’s Pac 12 Championships are taking place on the court this week, and it’s safe to say that the Trojans have dominated thus far.

The men’s team easily advanced to the semifinals after sweeping Oregon 4-0. After securing the doubles point thanks to a clutch win on the third court by Peter Makk and Wojtek Marek. The match lost its intensity once singles play began with each of their three points coming in two-set matches. USC will face off against Stanford today at 1:00 for a chance at a championship finals match.

The women’s team had a strikingly similar result, defeating Arizona State by a score of 4-1. Like the men, it came down to match #3 for the doubles point, and the Charney/Rodilosso pairing got things done to secure things for the Trojans. After allowing just one win by ASU, trio McKenna Koenig, Maddy Sieg, and Sloane Morra lead the Trojans to a victory, and a date with two seeded California at 3:00.

Each team has a chance to make history, and with some serious momentum, USC has a real shot to make their dreams of a Pac-12 Championship come true.

🔼 Difficult Road Ahead. Heading into the Pac-12 Championship, the two seed Trojans were looking to capture the title, but fell short and will have to work their way back through the contender’s bracket for another shot.

USC started off slow, giving up a 2-0 lead at both the two and four positions, but recovered quickly and tied the match up at two thanks to straight set wins by juniors Megan Kraft and Delaynie Maple and the Nourse twins, Audrey and Nicole. It all came down to game five, and in the only three-set match of the dual, Olivia Bakos and Gabby Walker were unable to pull it out, falling to the Golden Bears 15-13 in the last set.

The Trojans will now have to make their way up through the tournament’s contender’s bracket and face off against the winner of Utah vs. Washington to continue their run. Follow along to all the April anarchy live on Pac-12 Networks.

🤔 TROJAN TRIVIA

Leveling Up. Many Trojans have spring-boarded from SoCal to the big leagues, but USC has been especially good at developing talent and getting players pro ready.

Our question today—which three schools have had a player drafted into the common era NFL Draft in each year of its existence?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

⚔️ ONE BIG THING

Stop us if you’ve heard this before: USC Water Polo is dominating off and in the water.

Head coach Marko Pintaric just earned his third consecutive MPSF Women’s Coach of the Year award after leading his squad to a 25-1 record and landing six Trojans to the 2023 All-MPSF honor roll. He will lead the charge to help his top-seeded team try and capture yet another championship.

USC star Bayley Weber earned the MPSF Player of the Year in her fifth season with the Trojans. Ranking at number nine in all-time goals scored at USC, Weber scored 67 of her 204 goals this season - the most of any player this year. She also leads the team in blocks and has assisted 17 players this season. The 13th USC MPSF Player of the Year now looks to lead her team to, again, capture yet another championship.

📬 STICK WITH US

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📅 THE WEEKEND AHEAD

Friday 4/28

🏝 Beach Volleyball in Pac 12 Championships in Stanford, CA

⛳️ Men’s Golf in Pac 12 Championships in Stanford, CA

🥍 Women’s Lacrosse @ Arizona State in Tempe, AZ

⚾️ Baseball @ Washington in Seattle, WA

Saturday 4/29

⛳️ Men’s Golf in Pac 12 Championships in Stanford, CA

⚾️ Baseball @ Washington in Seattle, WA

🤽‍♀️ Water Polo vs. TBD @ MPSF Semi-finals in San Jose, CA

🚣‍♂️ Women’s Rowing @ Dexter Lake Invite in Eugene, OR

Sunday 4/30

👟 Track and Field @ UCLA in Los Angeles, CA

⛳️ Men’s Golf in Pac 12 Championships in Stanford, CA

⚾️ Baseball @ Washington in Seattle, WA

🤽‍♀️ Water Polo vs. TBD @ MPSF Finals in San Jose, CA

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: USC, Florida, Michigan

Did you really think the Trojans wouldn’t be on this this? Dating back to 1939, USC has had a player drafted into professional football for the past 83 years. The streak will certainly continue this year, and for many years to come!

Have a great weekend, everyone!