USC Trojans are national champions once again after defeating California Golden Bears 10-9 in a thrilling 2026 NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship final in La Jolla, California.
In a tense battle between two of the sport’s historic programs, USC held off a relentless Cal comeback attempt to secure the program’s eighth national crown and first since 2021.
The Trojans made the sharper start and looked composed from the opening sprint. Sinia Plotz opened the scoring before Cal responded, but USC quickly regained momentum through Ava Knepper and Ava Stryker to take a 3-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second period proved decisive. USC’s attack found rhythm through tournament MVP Emily Ausmus, who struck twice in the quarter, while Morgan Netherton and Stryker also added goals. Cal refused to let the game slip away, however, with Eszter Varro leading the charge and Holly Dunn firing in a buzzer-beater to cut the deficit to 7-6 at halftime.
USC again pushed ahead after the break. Plotz scored her second of the contest before Meghan McAninch converted on the power play to make it 9-7. Yet Cal continued to answer every challenge. Varro and Julianne Snyder both found the net as the Bears stayed within touching distance heading into the fourth quarter.
The decisive moment came early in the final period when Rachel Gazzaniga converted on a power play opportunity to restore a two-goal cushion at 10-8. Cal immediately hit back through Despoina Drakotou from the penalty spot, setting up a dramatic finish with more than five minutes still to play.
From there, USC’s defense and goalkeeper Anna Reed delivered when it mattered most. Reed produced 14 saves in a standout performance, repeatedly denying Cal chances to level the score, while the Trojans also came up with a crucial man-down defensive stop late in the game.
Cal pushed until the final whistle and can take pride from another deep tournament run after upsetting top-seeded Stanford Cardinal in the semifinals. Head coach Coralie Simmons praised her squad’s chemistry and resilience after the match, with the Bears finishing the season 16-8.
Varro led Cal with three goals, while Dunn and Drakotou added two each. Goalkeeper Talia Fonseca made 10 saves in defeat.
For USC, Plotz, Stryker and Ausmus all scored twice, with single goals from Knepper, McAninch, Gazzaniga and Netherton completing the scoring. Ausmus’ overall tournament tally of 15 goals and six assists earned her Most Valuable Player honours.
The win adds another chapter to USC’s rich aquatic legacy, delivering the university’s 116th NCAA team title overall and reaffirming the Trojans as one of the dominant forces in women’s collegiate water polo.
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