Stanford has once again cemented its legacy at the pinnacle of collegiate water polo.
The Cardinal secured their 10th NCAA championship on Sunday afternoon with an 11-7 victory over USC, reinforcing their status as the most decorated program in the sport’s collegiate history.
With this win, Stanford becomes the only school to reach double digits in NCAA women’s water polo titles, adding to a glittering list of triumphs that already included championships in 2002, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
It marks the third national title in four seasons for Stanford and the fourth time they’ve completed the coveted double—winning both the NCAA Championship and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) title in the same year (previously achieved in 2014, 2022, and 2023).
A Legacy of Excellence
From the start of the season, Stanford (25-1, 5-1 MPSF) demonstrated elite form and discipline. The Cardinal opened the campaign with one of only four 15-0 starts in program history and went on to defeat top-tier rivals USC and UCLA three times each. Anchored by a resolute defense and consistent tactical execution, Stanford held the No. 1 national ranking for most of the year.
In Sunday’s final, it was the Cardinal’s defensive intensity in the second half that made the difference. After a close opening period, Stanford pulled away, shutting down USC’s attack and capitalizing on key possessions.
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