Top-ranked UCLA (26-2) secured their 13th NCAA Championship in men’s water polo with an 11-8 triumph over second-ranked USC (23-6) on Sunday at Stanford’s Avery Aquatic Centre. This victory adds to UCLA’s remarkable tally of 124 NCAA team titles. The Bruins have now claimed four wins from five meetings against their local rivals this season and hold a 101-92-1 edge in their all-time series.
The victory further cements the legacy of UCLA’s head coach, Adam Wright, who has now guided the men’s team to five NCAA titles, all against USC. Wright’s water polo pedigree is unparalleled, with a total of nine NCAA championships to his name, spanning his career as a player, assistant coach, and head coach across UCLA’s men’s and women’s programmes.
UCLA showcased a well-rounded offensive performance, with seven players finding the scoresheet. Freshman Ryder Dodd, redshirt junior Chase Dodd, and graduate students Nico Tierney and Jack Larsen each scored twice. Graduate student Makoto Kenney also made a significant impact, providing a game-high three assists. In goal, redshirt freshman Nate Tauscher was superb in just his third start, recording 10 saves, three steals, and an assist.
The match was evenly poised in the early stages, with both sides locked at 2-2 after the first quarter. The stalemate persisted through the second period, sending the teams into halftime level at 4-4. Ryder Dodd, in a standout moment, scored his 101st goal of the season in the second quarter, equalling the MPSF single-season scoring record set by Ryan Bailey in 1998.
The Bruins edged ahead in the third quarter, outscoring USC 3-2, with Ryder Dodd breaking the MPSF record late in the period with a power-play goal, bringing his season tally to 102 goals. UCLA dominated the final quarter, with Jack Larsen pivotal, scoring twice and making a crucial field block, as the Bruins outscored USC 4-2 to seal the 11-8 victory.
Scoreboard
No. 2 USC vs. No. 1 UCLA
2024 NCAA Men’s Water Polo Championship
Stanford, Calif. – Game 28
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 2 USC | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| No. 1 UCLA | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
Key Stats
- Power Plays:
UCLA: 4/12
USC: 3/8 - Penalty Shots:
UCLA: 1/1
USC: 0/0
USC Goals:
- Robert Lopez Duart (2)
- Andrej Grgurevic (2)
- Max Miller (1)
- Luka Brnetic (1)
- Tom McGuire (1)
- Jack Martin (1)
USC Saves:
- Bernardo Herzer (9)
UCLA Goals:
- Jack Larsen (2)
- Chase Dodd (2)
- Ryder Dodd (2)
- Nico Tierney (2)
- Frederico Jucá Carsalade (1)
- Aaron Voggenthaler (1)
- Peter Castillo (1)
UCLA Saves:
- Nate Tauscher (10)