In one of the most dramatic NCAA finals in recent memory, UCLA claimed its 14th national championship with a last-second 11–10 victory over top-seeded USC at Avery Aquatic Center. The win secures back-to-back titles for the Bruins, their second in two years and the 125th NCAA trophy in UCLA athletic history.
For head coach Adam Wright, the triumph adds yet another chapter to a dynasty he has shaped for decades. Wright—already a UCLA Athletic Hall of Famer—now owns 10 NCAA championships with the Bruins: six as men’s head coach (all against USC), two as a player, one as women’s head coach, and another as a women’s assistant. Few figures in collegiate water polo have ever commanded such dominance.
But Sunday belonged to Frederico Jucá Carsalade. With the clock frozen at 0:00, Carsalade rifled home the championship-winning goal—his second of the game—to seal an astonishing finish in front of a stunned Stanford crowd. His heroics earned him Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Ryder Dodd and Chase Dodd.
UCLA climbed to a 27–2 season record and evened their head-to-head series with USC this year at 2–2. Historically, the rivalry continues to define college water polo: seven of UCLA’s NCAA titles have been won against the Trojans.
How the Final Unfolded
UCLA opened with intent. Chase Dodd struck on the first possession, and goals from Bode Brinkema and Dodd again pushed the Bruins to a 3–1 lead after the first quarter.
USC responded with force in the second, led by a clinical Jack Vort, flipping the game with a 5–1 run to take a 6–4 halftime advantage.
Brinkema’s second narrowed the deficit early in the third, but each UCLA strike was met with a USC answer. Goals from Sherlock and Carsalade kept the Bruins in touch, but the Trojans maintained an 8–7 edge entering the final frame.
A Fourth Quarter for the Ages
The last eight minutes were chaos.
Eli Liechty levelled the contest at 8–8 before USC regained the lead through Mihailo Vukazic. Then came a surge worthy of a champion:
- Ryder Dodd buried a penalty (3:26)
- Moments later, he flipped the scoreboard entirely with his third of the afternoon (2:35)
But USC refused to fold. Jack Martin tied it again with just over two minutes remaining.
With overtime looming, UCLA held for one final possession. As the buzzer sounded, Carsalade delivered the shot that will be replayed for years, securing the Bruins’ place atop collegiate water polo once more.
Final Score
UCLA 11–10 USC
(3–1, 1–5, 3–2, 4–2)
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