USC wins Capital One Cup for top women’s athletic program

No college athletics program anywhere had a better season than USC’s women’s teams. That’s according to the point-based system of the Women’s Capital One Cup, an all-sports competition that judges the best women’s Division-I program.

The Trojans won the title for the first time in the competition’s six-year history by edging out Stanford.

USC compiled 96 points based on its teams’ performances in NCAA championship play. Stanford earned 90 points. It was the closest finish in the award’s history.

Two of USC’s women’s teams, beach volleyball and water polo, won national championships in the past season. Six other teams finished in the NCAA top 10: lacrosse, volleyball, golf, swimming, track and indoor track.

The Trojans will receive $200,000 toward their scholarship fund from Capital One and will be presented with a trophy at the ESPY Awards next week.

On the men’s side, USC finished 32nd.

The Trojans placed fourth in the Learfield Directors’ Cup, which combines men’s and women’s finishes in 10 sports. Stanford won that title for the 22nd consecutive year.

[email protected]

Twitter: @zhelfand