Beyond the score, it was a day where USC repeatedly answered every UCLA push. The Trojans also banked 10 Crosstown Cup points, stretching their overall lead to 35–25, which matters because these rivalry meets aren’t just about one afternoon — they’re tracked across sports all year.

USC got out fast through Elise Lee, who delivered a statement 4&3 win over Jenny Lee. In match play, that margin tells you the match was effectively decided early — Lee built a cushion quickly, then shut the door with a birdie at the par-4 sixth to keep the pressure on UCLA’s lineup from the start.

UCLA did manage to pull the overall match level through GaEun Athena Yoo, but the swing didn’t last long. Kylie Chong restored USC’s edge with a controlled 3&2 win over Jennifer Seo. Chong never trailed, built a three-hole lead through seven, and stayed steady when UCLA tried to claw back — exactly the kind of “no freebies” match-play golf that wins these rivalry days.

The clincher came from freshman Sarah Hammett, who beat Maye Huang 2&1. Huang made it interesting late by cutting the deficit to one on 14, but Hammett responded the way veterans do: she won 15 to breathe again, then took 17 to finish the job.

With the result already settled, Catherine Park and Kacey Ly halved their match, which put the final at 3.5–1.5.

Big picture: USC didn’t just win — it won in the way strong match-play teams do, piling early pressure, absorbing the one UCLA counter, and then closing cleanly through the middle of the order.