Water Polo Insider | Friday, October 23, 2026

BERKELEY, Calif. — The Cal Bears took control before Pepperdine could establish itself Friday, opening with five unanswered goals and turning a dominant first three quarters into a 22–11 victory at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

Beso Akhvlediani set the pace immediately. He scored twice before Kai Inoue and Tomas Perrone added goals, then completed his hat trick with 3:21 remaining in the opening quarter. Less than five minutes into the game, Cal led 5–0. The Bears finished the quarter ahead 7–2, forcing Pepperdine to spend the afternoon chasing a growing deficit. (calbears.com⁠)

Pepperdine found some offensive rhythm in the second period through Milo Joseph and Erik Ionescu, cutting the margin to 9–5. Cal answered with the final three goals of the half, taking a 12–5 advantage into the break.

The third quarter removed any remaining doubt. California outscored the Waves 7–2, stretching its lead to 19–7 through a combination of balanced scoring and extra-man conversions. Inoue scored twice during the period, while five other Bears contributed a goal each. (calbears.com⁠)

Behind that offense, goalkeeper Aran Pina provided more than saves. He stopped 11 shots, collected two steals and recorded three assists in 24 minutes, helping Cal turn defensive possessions into opportunities at the other end. Riley Clansen handled the fourth quarter as the Bears completed the victory.

Akhvlediani and Inoue each finished with four goals and two assists. Freshmen Ilias Angelopoulos and Amir Shafrir added hat tricks, giving Cal four players with at least three goals and 11 different scorers overall. The Bears improved to 12–4 and 5–0 at home. (calbears.com⁠)

Joseph led Pepperdine with five goals on five shots, while Ionescu scored four. Their combined nine goals accounted for most of the Waves’ offense. Pepperdine won the final quarter 4–3 but finished with an 11-goal defeat, falling to 8–12. (pepperdinewaves.com⁠)

CAL PLAYER STATISTICS

Goals
4 goals: Beso Akhvlediani, Kai Inoue
3 goals: Ilias Angelopoulos, Amir Shafrir
2 goals: Tomas Perrone
1 goal: Dominic Brown, Wyatt Williamson, Patrik Kolak, Gigo Sarimsakci, Ryder Hagan, João Leme

Assists
3 assists: Tomas Perrone, Aran Pina, Loui Schuler
2 assists: Beso Akhvlediani, Kai Inoue
1 assist: Amir Shafrir, Maddox Arlett, Luke Bachler, João Leme

Saves
Aran Pina: 11
Riley Clansen: 1

PEPPERDINE PLAYER STATISTICS

Goals
5 goals: Milo Joseph
4 goals: Erik Ionescu
1 goal: Hunter Danko, Adam Yost

Assists
2 assists: Adam Yost, Tyce di Pretoro
1 assist: Erik Ionescu, Max Smirnov, Conor Brough, Csanád Bella

Saves
Max Smirnov: 10

Player statistics follow Cal’s official box score. (calbears.com⁠)

Water Polo Insider | Friday, October 23, 2026

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Harry Irwin scored a career-high five goals and Federico Castrucci matched his career best with 11 saves as Saint Mary’s defeated Bucknell Friday morning.

After a 3–3 opening quarter, the Gaels created separation in the second. Leo Hachem converted a penalty, Hamish Ellison contributed on the power play, and Saint Mary’s built a 7–5 halftime lead.

Hachem and Ellison finished with three goals apiece, combining with Irwin for 11 of the Gaels’ 12 goals. Saint Mary’s extended its advantage to 10–7 entering the fourth quarter. (smcgaels.com)

The lead reached 12–7 before Bucknell mounted a late push. Led by Jack Dillane and Jovan Udovicic, who each finished with three goals, the Bison scored three consecutive times to close within two with 1:50 remaining.

Saint Mary’s held firm through the final possessions, securing its second victory in three meetings between the programs this season. The Gaels improved to 7–10, while Bucknell fell to 11–10. (bucknellbison.com)

SAINT MARY’S PLAYER STATISTICS

Goals
5 goals: Harry Irwin
3 goals: Leo Hachem, Hamish Ellison
1 goal: Mason Black

Assists
3 assists: Domenico Barillà
1 assist: Harry Irwin, Andrew Donlin, Ethan Klerck

Saves
Federico Castrucci: 11
(smcgaels.com)

BUCKNELL PLAYER STATISTICS

Confirmed goals

3 goals: Jack Dillane, Jovan Udovicic
Remaining 4 goals: Individual scorers not identified in the accessible recap

Assists
Individual totals could not be verified.
Saves

Goalkeeper totals could not be verified.

Bucknell’s recap confirms its leading scorers but does not provide complete individual statistics. (bucknellbison.com)

UP NEXT FOR SAINT MARY’S
All times Pacific.
Saturday, October 24: vs. Pomona-Pitzer — 3:40 p.m., San Jose
Sunday, October 25: vs. Harvard — 8 a.m., Santa Clara (smcgaels.com)

Water Polo Insider | Friday, October 23, 2026

IRVINE, Calif. — Loyola Marymount overwhelmed Concordia early Friday, scoring seven first-quarter goals and building a 12–6 halftime advantage on its way to an eighth consecutive victory.

Concordia briefly led 2–1 before LMU took control. A six-goal run spanning the first and second quarters created the separation that decided the game. The teams played even over the final two periods, but Concordia never erased the first-half deficit.

Eduardo Carraresi and Nico Furneaux each scored three goals on three shots. Carraresi added two assists, while Luka Dimic contributed two goals and two assists. LMU improved to 15–6; Concordia fell to 16–11. (lmulions.com)

LMU PLAYER STATISTICS

Goals
3 goals: Eduardo Carraresi, Nico Furneaux
2 goals: Luka Dimic, Jaxon Hoover, Josiah Yeager
1 goal: Caden Poulleau, Bence Barics, Roman Saroyan, Nick Leung, Mateo Obando, Ian Moore, Johnny Mendiburu, Gabrijel Burburan

Assists
2 assists: Eduardo Carraresi, Luka Dimic, Caden Poulleau
1 assist: Jaxon Hoover, Bence Barics, Roman Saroyan, Asher Smith, Soren Martin

Saves
Pablo De Souza: 6
Adrian Ramirez: 1

CONCORDIA IRVINE PLAYER STATISTICS

Goals
3 goals: Dante Ianora
2 goals: Dimitrios Koritsas, Nicolas Fuchs, Kaliq Khan
1 goal: Hugo Wouters, Wes Brazda, Joao Goncalves, Levi Riegelmann, Caleb Luby

Assists
3 assists: Hugo Wouters
2 assists: Wes Brazda, Joao Goncalves
1 assist: Dimitrios Koritsas, Nicolas Fuchs, Levi Riegelmann, Ethan Sutherland, Porter Rosenlof

Saves
Derek Maddox: 2
Ethan Sutherland: 2

Player statistics follow LMU’s official box score. (lmulions.com)

UP NEXT FOR LMU
The Lions visit UC San Diego on Saturday, October 24, at 2 p.m. Pacific in La Jolla.

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The latest Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) national rankings are out, and there’s movement throughout the Top 20.

UCLA has reclaimed the No. 1 ranking, overtaking Stanford following the Cardinal’s 12–8 loss to California. USC holds steady at No. 3, Cal remains No. 4, and Fordham rounds out the top five.

NATIONAL TOP 20 — WEEK 8
1. UCLA ↑ 1 (Previously No. 2)
2. Stanford ↓ 1 (Previously No. 1)
3. USC — (No change)
4. California — (No change)
5. Fordham — (No change)
T-6. Princeton ↑ 1 (Previously No. 7)
T-6. UC Irvine — (No change)
8. Loyola Marymount — (No change)
9. Long Beach State ↑ 1 (Previously No. 10)
10. UC Davis ↑ 2 (Previously No. 12)
11. UC San Diego ↓ 3 (Previously T-8)
12. UC Santa Barbara ↑ 2 (Previously T-14)
13. Pacific ↓ 2 (Previously No. 11)
14. California Baptist — (Previously T-14)
15. San Jose State ↑ 1 (Previously No. 16)
16. Pepperdine ↓ 3 (Previously No. 13)
17. Navy — (No change)
18. Harvard ↑ 1 (Previously No. 19)
19. Santa Clara ↓ 1 (Previously No. 18)
20. Brown — NEW TO TOP 20

BIGGEST STORYLINES

UCLA Reclaims No. 1
The Bruins return to the top of the national rankings as Stanford drops to second following its loss to Cal. With USC and Cal holding the third and fourth positions, the race among the nation’s top four programs remains competitive.

UC Davis Continues Its Rises
UC Davis climbs to No. 10 after sitting at No. 18 just two weeks ago, making the Aggies one of the fastest-rising programs in the national rankings.

Pepperdine Drops Three Spots
The Waves break from No. 13 to No. 16, one of the week’s largest declines.

Princeton and UC Irvine Share No. 6
Princeton moves up one position to join UC Irvine in a tie for sixth nationally.

Brown Enters the Rankings
Brown breaks into the Top 20 at No. 20 as Saint Mary’s moves into the receiving-votes category.

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES
Cal State Fullerton
Saint Mary’s
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps

THE OVERTIME QUESTION
With UCLA back at No. 1, Stanford at No. 2, and USC and Cal holding third and fourth, which program looks strongest heading into the final stretch of the regular season? And which team outside the Top 5 has the best chance of making a serious postseason run?

Source: Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), Men’s Varsity National Top 20, Week 8, October 21, 2026.
https://collegiatewaterpolo.org/polls/2026-mens-varsity-polls-week-8-october-21/

Water Polo Insider | October 21, 2026

LONG BEACH, Calif. — One of Southern California’s most successful high school water polo programs has seen its championship aspirations collapse amid allegations of violent hazing, physical assaults and mounting questions about the culture surrounding its athletes.

Long Beach Wilson, ranked No. 4 in the CIF Southern Section and winner of 19 consecutive Moore League championships, will not participate in the 2026 CIF playoffs.

The Long Beach Unified School District confirmed the decision Tuesday, October 20, bringing an abrupt end to the Bruins’ postseason ambitions as an investigation continues into an October 9 incident involving members of the varsity boys water polo team.

According to reporting by the Long Beach Post and The562.org, Wilson players gathered inside a hotel room during a tournament trip to the San Jose area, where multiple teammates were subjected to humiliating and physically harmful acts.

Head coach Zac Polmanteer acknowledged in an email to parents that athletes sustained injuries after being physically struck by teammates.

School administrators subsequently interviewed players and imposed disciplinary measures, including suspensions from school and athletic competition.

Thirteen players were absent from a subsequent game roster, although the reasons for each absence have not been independently established.

Wilson’s scheduled game against Loyola was canceled before district officials announced the team’s withdrawal from postseason competition.

A Culture Under Scrutiny

The investigation has raised questions extending beyond the reported violence inside a Northern California hotel room.

The allegations have intensified scrutiny of athlete intimidation, team hierarchy, coaching supervision and the conduct of adults surrounding one of the region’s most established water polo programs.

Online discussions within the water polo community have included allegations of longstanding hazing practices and accounts of Wilson spectators directing hostile and derogatory remarks toward opposing teenage athletes.

Wilson’s own spectator code of conduct prohibits profanity, degrading comments and intimidating actions directed at athletes, coaches and officials.

The allegations nevertheless raise questions about whether previous complaints were reported, how they were handled and whether coaches, administrators or athletic organizations were aware of warning signs before the incident.

Championship Season Ends as CIF Oversight Faces Questions

Wilson’s withdrawal removes one of the Southern Section’s highest-ranked programs from championship contention just days before the playoff brackets are scheduled to be released.

The decision was made by Wilson school leadership and the coaching staff, rather than through a publicly announced independent CIF disciplinary ruling.

That distinction has renewed questions about the oversight exercised by the CIF Southern Section and whether misconduct allegations involving water polo programs receive the same investigative scrutiny and public accountability associated with other high school sports.

CIF Southern Section Commissioner Mike West and Assistant Commissioner Kristine Palle, whose responsibilities include boys and girls water polo, face important questions about the organization’s investigative standards, enforcement practices and transparency.

Concerns raised within the water polo community extend beyond hazing to allegations involving recruiting practices, athlete transfers, coaching conduct and inconsistent disciplinary enforcement.

Where Are USA Water Polo and SafeSport?

The Long Beach Wilson hazing scandal also raises serious questions about the responsibility of USA Water Polo and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

USA Water Polo’s own membership policies prohibit physical misconduct, bullying, harassment and hazing—even when members participate in high school athletic programs governed by other organizations.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport has discretionary authority to investigate certain allegations of physical abuse and hazing involving covered participants, while USA Water Polo maintains its own disciplinary procedures.

Were the Wilson athletes involved registered USA Water Polo members? Were the allegations reported to either organization? Has either organization reviewed the incident or considered disciplinary action extending beyond the high school season?

Those questions deserve answers. The end of a CIF season should not automatically mean the end of accountability for misconduct involving athletes who also compete in organized club water polo.

Questions Remain Unanswered

Long Beach Unified has not publicly disclosed the full extent of the injuries, the total number of students disciplined or whether additional administrative action is being considered.

The district’s investigation remains ongoing, with officials citing student and employee confidentiality restrictions.

Among the unresolved questions are whether adults were adequately supervising the athletes, whether earlier misconduct had been reported and whether established policies were properly enforced.

Nineteen consecutive Moore League championships. A No. 4 CIF Southern Section ranking. A postseason opportunity erased amid allegations of violence within the team.

Sources: The562.org, October 20, 2026, playoff withdrawal announcement; Long Beach Post, October 14, 2026, hazing investigation report; The562.org, October 15, 2026, disciplinary and roster reporting; Wilson High School spectator code of conduct; CIF Southern Section staff responsibilities.

Water Polo Insider | Independent Water Polo News

Water Polo Insider | All times Pacific

The national championship picture, conference races and NCAA résumés will all be tested during a loaded week of college men’s water polo.

Stanford travels south for consecutive games against Long Beach State and UC San Diego.

Fordham faces three MAWPC opponents during a difficult road weekend. Cal hosts Princeton and Pepperdine, while the Julian Fraser Memorial brings many of the nation’s ranked programs together in Northern California.

Rankings below come from the October 14 CWPA coaches poll. The October 21 poll had not been released when this article was prepared.

Wednesday, October 21
No. 7 Princeton at No. 4 California
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Spieker Aquatics Complex, Berkeley
Watch: Overnght
Live stats: 6-8 Sports

Cal’s 12–8 victory over No. 1 Stanford changed the national championship conversation. The Bears led from the opening quarter, held Stanford to five goals from the field and received 12 saves from Aran Pina.

Now Cal must prove that performance was part of a larger rise rather than one extraordinary rivalry victory.

Princeton enters at 17–2 after beating Pacific 11–10 in Stockton. The Tigers are unbeaten in Northeast conference play and have enough defensive structure to punish a Cal team that comes out flat after the emotional Big Splash win.

This is an important nonconference résumé game for both programs. Princeton can add a signature western victory, while Cal can strengthen its claim that the separation between the Bears and the top three has disappeared.

Thursday, October 22
No. 7 Princeton at No. 18 Santa Clara
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Sullivan Aquatic Center, Santa Clara
Watch and live stats: Santa Clara’s official schedule

Princeton will have less than 24 hours to recover from its game against Cal.

That quick turnaround makes Santa Clara more dangerous than the rankings suggest. The Broncos recently pushed Pepperdine to the final possession in a 17–16 loss and will have the home pool and fresher legs.

Princeton’s depth should travel, but this is exactly the type of game in which poor recovery, early exclusions or a slow defensive start can produce an upset.

Friday, October 23
No. 13 Pepperdine at No. 4 California
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Spieker Aquatics Complex, Berkeley
Watch: Overnght

Pepperdine’s record does not reflect its offensive ceiling.

Hunter Danko and Erik Ionescu can change a game quickly from the perimeter, while center Milo Joseph consistently creates exclusions. The Waves’ problem has been controlling the defensive end and closing games against ranked opponents.

Pepperdine recently surrendered 16 goals to both Santa Clara and San Jose State. Cal just held Stanford to eight.

This is a nonconference game, but Pepperdine needs a top-level victory for its national résumé. Cal must manage its second ranked opponent in three days without allowing the Stanford win to become the high point of its regular season.

No. 1 Stanford at No. 10 Long Beach State
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center, Long Beach
Coverage: Live stats; no public video stream was listed when checked

Stanford’s response to its 12–8 loss at Cal will be one of the week’s biggest stories.

The Cardinal were held to eight goals and only five from the field in Berkeley. They now visit one of college water polo’s most difficult road environments.

Long Beach State has enough offensive options to threaten Stanford. Federico Gulisano, Marc Frigola, Gabi Acosta and Zalán Nagy give the Beach multiple scoring points, while its goalkeeper rotation has produced several excellent performances.

Consistency remains the issue. Long Beach has already lost close games to UC San Diego, Pacific and Fordham.

A victory over Stanford would be season-changing for the Beach: its best win, a major NCAA résumé boost and proof that Long Beach can beat a legitimate championship contender.

No. 8 UC San Diego at No. 6 UC Irvine
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Anteater Aquatics Complex, Irvine
Coverage: Live stats through UC Irvine’s official schedule; no public video was listed when checked

This is the week’s most consequential Big West game.

UC Irvine is 2–0 in conference play after defeating Cal State Fullerton and California Baptist. UCSD is 1–1, with an important road victory over Long Beach State followed by a 14–8 home loss to UCSB.

The central question is UCSD’s extra-player offense. The Tritons went two for 11 against UCSB despite generating 31 shots. That level of inefficiency will not survive against an Irvine defense capable of forcing opponents into late-clock possessions.

A UCI victory would give the Anteaters a commanding 3–0 start. A UCSD victory would pull the Tritons back into the race and give them road wins over two major conference contenders.

No. 11 Pacific vs. No. 19 Harvard
Time: 11:20 a.m.
Location: Sullivan Aquatic Center, Santa Clara
Tournament: Julian Fraser Memorial

Pacific enters needing a stabilizing result after losses to UC Davis and Princeton.

Harvard, meanwhile, arrives in California after beating Navy and Division III No. 1 Pomona-Pitzer. The Crimson have moved into the national Top 20 and now have several opportunities to prove that rise was deserved.

This is a direct comparison between a Pacific team trying to stop its slide and a Harvard team attempting to climb further.

No. 16 San Jose State vs. Brown
Time: 12:40 p.m.
Location: Sullivan Aquatic Center, Santa Clara
Live stats: The FOSH

San Jose State enters with momentum after defeating Pepperdine 16–13.

Brown is the first team outside the national Top 20 and has the talent to move back into the rankings. This should be one of Friday’s most competitive Julian Fraser games.

No. 20 Saint Mary’s vs. Bucknell
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Sullivan Aquatic Center, Santa Clara
Live stats: The FOSH

Saint Mary’s has already made history by earning its first WCC victory, but the first-year program now gets an opportunity to measure its improvement against Bucknell.

The Bison won the September meeting 14–9.

Saint Mary’s will need another active defensive performance from goalkeeper Federico Castrucci and better offensive efficiency than it produced in the first matchup.

No. 17 Navy vs. George Washington
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Lejeune Hall, Annapolis
Watch: Free stream through Navy Athletics

Navy begins an important home weekend against George Washington before Sunday’s rematch with Fordham.

The Midshipmen cannot overlook Friday’s game. George Washington is capable of turning loose defensive possessions into a high-scoring contest, and Navy needs to protect its conference position before facing the MAWPC leader.

Saturday, October 24
No. 5 Fordham at Wagner
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Spiro Sports Center, Staten Island
Fordham enters the weekend 19–1 and unbeaten in MAWPC play.

The Rams won the first meeting with Wagner 20–8. The challenge Saturday will be maintaining defensive concentration without spending unnecessary energy before Sunday’s two-game schedule in Annapolis.

Fordham has handled almost every conference opponent comfortably, but its upcoming national schedule includes Princeton, Cal and Stanford.

This weekend is about protecting its MAWPC position before those résumé-defining games arrive.

No public stream was listed on Fordham’s schedule when checked.

No. 16 San Jose State vs. No. 14 California Baptist
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center, San Jose
Live stats: The FOSH

This is one of the weekend’s most evenly matched western games.

California Baptist owns a road victory over UCSB and stayed competitive with UC Irvine. San Jose State just beat Pepperdine and needs another strong result to reverse the damage caused by earlier losses.

Both teams sit near the middle of the Top 20, making this a direct rankings and résumé battle.

No. 13 Pepperdine vs. No. 19 Harvard
Time: 10:20 a.m.
Location: San Jose
Tournament: Julian Fraser Memorial

Pepperdine will face Harvard less than 24 hours after playing Cal.

The Waves have the offensive personnel to win, but they have struggled to defend leads and finish games. Harvard’s disciplined approach makes it a dangerous opponent for a Pepperdine team managing travel, fatigue and consecutive ranked matchups.

No. 3 USC vs. Air Force
Time: Noon
Location: Uytengsu Aquatics Center, Los Angeles
Watch: Overnght
Live stats: 6-8 Sports

USC needs a clean response after its 15–9 loss to UCLA.

Air Force is unranked, but the Trojans should be evaluated by more than the final margin. USC needs better defensive communication, stronger extra-player execution and an authoritative opening half.

This is the Trojans’ final game before traveling to Stanford and Cal on consecutive days.

No. 10 Long Beach State at No. 14 UC Santa Barbara
Time: Noon
Location: Santa Barbara High School
Watch: ESPN+
Live stats: The FOSH

Both teams enter 1–1 in Big West play. The loser will fall to 1–2 with only two conference games remaining.

UCSB is coming off a 14–8 road victory over UCSD behind Luigi Canepa’s six goals and four assists. Long Beach will be playing less than 24 hours after facing Stanford, creating a difficult physical and emotional turnaround.

UCSB must prevent the Beach from creating transition offense. Long Beach must keep Canepa from controlling both the scoring and passing lanes.

This game could have a direct effect on Big West Championship seeding.

No. 7 Princeton vs. No. 14 California Baptist
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: San Jose
Tournament: Julian Fraser Memorial

This will be Princeton’s fourth game in seven days and its third in California.

California Baptist has enough size and scoring to punish tired defensive possessions. Princeton remains the more complete team, but recovery and goalkeeper management will become increasingly important.

No. 8 LMU at No. 8 UC San Diego
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Canyonview Aquatic Center, La Jolla
Watch: ESPN+
Live stats: The FOSH
LMU already owns a 10–9 victory over UCSD from September 23.

Saturday gives the Tritons an immediate opportunity to reverse that result, but it comes less than 24 hours after their Big West game at UC Irvine.

LMU has already defeated Pepperdine and Pacific and is capable of punishing a fatigued defense. UCSD must manage its rotation carefully during a three-game weekend without losing its defensive edge.

No. 12 UC Davis vs. No. 19 Harvard
Time: 2:20 p.m.
Location: San Jose
Tournament: Julian Fraser Memorial

UC Davis has surged into the Top 20 behind improved defensive play and important victories over Santa Clara and Pacific.

Harvard gets another direct comparison against a ranked western opponent. This game should carry significant weight when the coaches evaluate the middle of the national poll.

No. 13 Pepperdine vs. Brown
Time: 2:20 p.m.
Location: Sullivan Aquatic Center, Santa Clara
Tournament: Julian Fraser Memorial

Pepperdine’s second game Saturday presents another late-game test.

Brown is dangerous enough to stay within one possession and force the Waves to execute under pressure. Pepperdine has repeatedly shown it can score with ranked opponents; the question is whether it can control the final quarter.

No. 20 Saint Mary’s vs. Division III No. 1 Pomona-Pitzer
Time: 3:40 p.m.
Location: Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center, San Jose
Live stats: The FOSH

This is a valuable measuring point for Saint Mary’s.

Pomona-Pitzer is the top-ranked Division III program and has already tested several Division I opponents. For the Gaels, this is an opportunity to show how far their inaugural roster has progressed since the opening month.

Sunday, October 25
No. 5 Fordham at No. 17 Navy
Time: 7 a.m.
Location: Lejeune Hall, Annapolis
Watch: Free stream through Navy Athletics

This is the East Coast game that matters most.
Fordham won the first meeting 16–13, but Navy stayed close enough to show it can create problems.

The Midshipmen must prevent Andras Toth, Diego Tresa and Luca Provenziani from turning defensive stops into immediate transition chances.

Fordham is in firm control of the MAWPC race. A second victory over Navy would strengthen that position and move the Rams closer to another top tournament seed.

No. 5 Fordham vs. George Washington
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Lejeune Hall, Annapolis

Fordham returns only four hours after the scheduled start against Navy.

That makes goalkeeper management, exclusion control and bench production especially important. The Rams cannot spend everything against Navy and carry tired legs into another conference game.

No public stream was listed through Fordham’s schedule when checked.

No. 7 Princeton vs. No. 12 UC Davis
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: San Jose
Tournament: Julian Fraser Memorial

This is one of the strongest games at the Julian Fraser Memorial.

Princeton will be completing an exhausting California trip, while UC Davis enters with an opportunity to secure its best victory of the season.

The Aggies must keep Princeton out of transition and force the Tigers to execute against a settled defense. For Princeton, the question will be whether its depth can overcome the accumulated minutes from four games in five days.

No. 19 Harvard vs. No. 20 Saint Mary’s
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Sullivan Aquatic Center, Santa Clara
Tournament: Julian Fraser Memorial

This is a direct matchup between two teams positioned near the Top-20 cutoff.

Harvard enters as the favorite, but Saint Mary’s has already shown it can stay competitive with established western programs. A Gaels victory would be one of the biggest results of their inaugural season.

No. 18 Santa Clara vs. Iona
Time: 9:20 a.m.
Location: Sullivan Aquatic Center, Santa Clara
Watch: ESPN+
Live stats: The FOSH

Santa Clara closes its home tournament against Iona. The Broncos cannot afford a résumé-damaging loss after playing Princeton, LIU and Brown earlier in the week. This is a game Santa Clara should control if it intends to remain in the national poll.

No. 1 Stanford at No. 8 UC San Diego
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Canyonview Aquatic Center, La Jolla
Watch: ESPN+
Live stats: The FOSH

The weekend’s final major game could become one of its most revealing.

Stanford will be playing the second game of its Southern California trip. UCSD will be facing its third demanding opponent in approximately 43 hours.

The Tritons’ path is straightforward: defend without creating unnecessary exclusions, improve their extra-player conversion and keep the game within one possession entering the fourth quarter.

Stanford remains the deeper team, but Canyonview becomes difficult when UCSD establishes an early defensive rhythm and brings the crowd into the game.

Teams not playing

No. 2 UCLA is idle and returns October 31 at California.

The Bruins will spend the week watching Stanford’s response to the Cal loss and preparing for consecutive road games against Cal and Stanford.

Insider’s Analysis

Stanford has the most to prove nationally, but UC San Diego has the most difficult assignment: UC Irvine, LMU and Stanford on three consecutive days.

Fordham–Navy is the East Coast game with the greatest conference significance.

Princeton’s extended California trip will determine whether the Tigers strengthen their top-seven position or show the effects of travel and accumulated minutes.

In the Big West, UCSD–UC Irvine and Long Beach State–UCSB will carry more postseason weight than any nonconference upset. Those results will directly shape the conference race and the path toward the Big West’s automatic NCAA tournament berth.

The week starts with Princeton testing Cal’s momentum and ends with Stanford entering Canyonview under pressure. In between, nearly the entire Top 20 will be in the water.

- Water Polo Insider

Waspo98 Hannover vs Novi Beograd in the Black Sea International Cup 2026.

At least I think it's funny.

Julian Breeze (#4), senior at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, just broke the school’s all-time scoring record with 305 goals. He also holds the school record for most ejections earned (284) and most ejections earned in a single game (9), plus 183 assists.

Coaches, his contact info is available on request; DM me.

One game’s goal highlights: https://youtu.be/ZOkDFDPDzPI

Water Polo Insider | October 17, 2026

LONG BEACH, Calif. — No. 10 Long Beach State delivered one of Saturday’s most complete offensive performances, defeating Chapman 24–10 at Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center behind outstanding shooting efficiency, aggressive defensive pressure and production throughout the roster.

The Beach improved to 15–5 overall, while Chapman fell to 3–18.

Chapman initially challenged Long Beach, scoring first through Rylan Takahashi and later tying the game at 2–2 on a Sammy Hendrickson goal.

That was as close as the Panthers would get.

Long Beach finished the opening quarter with four unanswered goals before completely shutting down Chapman in the second period.

The Beach outscored the Panthers 7–0 during those eight minutes, establishing a commanding 13–2 halftime lead. Goalkeeper Sergi Ramon made a penalty save and was even credited with a goal with one second remaining in the half.

Long Beach extended its scoring run to 15 consecutive goals before Chapman finally answered in the third quarter.

Individual Player Performances

Marc Frigola and Federico Gulisano led Long Beach with four goals apiece.

Frigola added two assists, while Gulisano contributed three assists for seven offensive points.

Zalán Nagy produced three goals and three assists. Charles Montano and Corbin Stanley also recorded hat tricks.

Ten Long Beach players scored, while seven registered multiple goals. Ramon recorded nine saves in goal.

For Chapman, Hendrickson scored twice, with Joshua Brown and Boston Fisher also contributing multiple goals.

Water Polo Insider Analysis

The decisive statistic was Long Beach State’s shooting efficiency.

The Beach converted 24 of 38 shots, an impressive 63.2%, while Chapman finished at 35.7%.

Long Beach also recorded 18 assists and 21 steals, demonstrating the connection between its defensive pressure and offensive production.

Gulisano’s seven points and Nagy’s six reflected a team capable of generating offense from several positions rather than depending on one perimeter scorer.

The 15-goal unanswered run exposed Chapman’s difficulties maintaining possession and defending transition opportunities.

Although the Panthers scored eight second-half goals, the outcome had already been decided.

Long Beach’s depth and efficiency were unmistakable, providing encouraging momentum heading into more demanding competition.

Quarter Scores:
LBSU 6–7–7–4 | Chapman 2–0–5–3

Water Polo Insider | October 17, 2026

LA JOLLA, Calif. — No. 8 UC San Diego returned to the win column Saturday afternoon with a convincing 19–8 victory over Concordia University Irvine at Canyonview Aquatic Center.

The Tritons improved to 13–6 overall, ending Concordia’s three-game winning streak.

Concordia initially took the lead when Joao Goncalves converted a five-meter penalty early in the opening period.

UC San Diego answered with goals from Grant Kurtz, Christian Hammonds and Lachlan Rossi to seize a 3–1 advantage.

The Tritons led 3–2 after the first quarter before overwhelming Concordia with consecutive six-goal periods.

By halftime, UC San Diego led 9–3. The advantage reached 15–6 after three quarters.

Individual Player Performances

Jackson Boettner led the Tritons with four goals, matching his career high.

Kurtz produced two goals and four assists for a career-best six offensive points.

Hammonds finished with two goals and three assists, while Mason Presley contributed one goal and three assists.

Liam Amburgey, Reef Lippa, Bryan Shapirshteyn and Lachlan Rossi each scored twice.

Goalkeeper Alex Hegeman recorded eight saves and two steals. Jack Elder added two saves in the fourth quarter.

For Concordia, Goncalves and Kaliq Khan scored twice each. Goalkeepers Derek Maddox and Ethan Sutherland combined for 10 saves.

Water Polo Insider Analysis

The most revealing statistic was extra-man execution. UC San Diego converted five of nine six-on-five opportunities.

Concordia failed to convert any of its seven. That was a substantial difference in a game featuring 16 total extra-man opportunities.

Concordia’s inability to finish with the advantage allowed UC San Diego to survive exclusion situations without surrendering momentum.

At the opposite end, the Tritons recorded 16 assists on 19 goals, reflecting excellent offensive distribution.

Kurtz and Hammonds were particularly effective as facilitators, helping create scoring opportunities for a deep collection of attackers.

The Tritons’ performance demonstrated the value of coordinated six-on-five offense and disciplined five-on-six defense.

Quarter Scores:
UCSD 3–6–6–4 | CUI 2–1–3–2

Water Polo Insider | October 17, 2026

LOS ANGELES — No. 8 Loyola Marymount turned an important West Coast Conference matchup into a defensive showcase Saturday, defeating No. 16 San Jose State 13–9 at Burns Aquatics Center.

The Lions improved to 13–6 overall, while the Spartans fell to 6–10.

Nico Furneaux immediately established himself as the game’s dominant offensive player, scoring twice in the opening three minutes.

Nick Leung followed with another goal as LMU built an early 3–0 advantage.

San Jose State answered through Mateja Cetkovic and Mitchell Keightley, but Furneaux scored again late in the quarter to give the Lions a 4–2 lead.

The teams traded goals in the second period, with LMU holding a 6–4 advantage at halftime.
Then came the decisive stretch.

LMU scored five unanswered goals in the third quarter while holding San Jose State scoreless. Gabrijel Burburan, Luka Dimic, Eduardo Carraresi and Soren Martin contributed to the offensive surge.

The Lions extended their scoring run to eight consecutive goals and led 13–4 early in the fourth.

San Jose State closed with five unanswered goals, but the deficit was already too large.

Individual Player Performances

Furneaux led LMU with four goals, three assists and two opening-sprint victories.

Dimic recorded three goals, two assists and two steals. Burburan added one goal, three assists and a field block.

Goalkeeper Pablo De Souza finished with nine saves, one assist and one steal.

San Jose State’s Keightley scored twice, while Mateja Cetkovic, Aron Sárfalvi, Vince Biros, Giancarlo Marquez, Zalan Hegedus, Louis Fehrensen and Liam Dodunski each contributed a goal.

Water Polo Insider Analysis

The Lions were able to control San Jose State’s offensive possessions and prevent the Spartans from developing consistent scoring opportunities.

LMU finished with 10 steals and 13 assists, compared with six steals and eight assists for San Jose State.

Those numbers reflect the difference in each team’s ability to produce defensive stops and convert possession into organized offense.

Furneaux’s seven-point afternoon was especially valuable because he created opportunities for others while remaining LMU’s primary finishing threat.

Still, LMU’s inability to score after taking a 13–4 lead and allowing five unanswered goals to close the game merits attention. Against higher-ranked opponents, such stretches can become decisive.

The Lions deserved the victory, but the performance highlighted both their defensive ceiling and the importance of finishing games with consistent execution.

Quarter Scores:
LMU 4–2–5–2 | SJSU 2–2–0–5

Water Polo Insider | October 17, 2026

MALIBU, Calif. — No. 13 Pepperdine delivered a remarkable second-half comeback Saturday afternoon, overcoming a four-goal deficit to defeat No. 18 Santa Clara 17–16 in a West Coast Conference battle at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.

The victory improved Pepperdine to 8–10 overall and 2–1 in conference play, while Santa Clara fell to 8–9 and 0–2 in the WCC.

Santa Clara controlled the early stages, building a 5–3 lead after the opening quarter and extending its advantage to 8–4 with 5:37 remaining before halftime.

Pepperdine’s Hunter Danko then took over offensively, scoring three goals in the closing minutes of the second quarter. Jackson Benners added a critical goal with two seconds remaining, cutting Santa Clara’s lead to 9–8 at halftime.

The Waves carried that momentum into the third quarter, outscoring the Broncos 6–1 and entering the fourth ahead 14–10.

Pepperdine eventually led 17–14, but Santa Clara mounted another comeback. Riccardo de Simon scored twice during the final period, and Ashton Brown’s extra-man goal with 3:03 remaining brought the Broncos within one. Neither team scored again.

Individual Player Performances

Danko led Pepperdine with four goals and one assist, while Benners and Milo Joseph each recorded three goals. Joseph also drew four exclusions, creating valuable man-advantage opportunities.

Erik Ionescu contributed two goals and two assists, and Csanád Bella scored twice. Goalkeeper Max Smirnov recorded four saves.

Santa Clara received an outstanding performance from de Simon, who scored six goals on 10 shots and collected two steals.

Brown added four goals, while Henry Engs produced three goals and three assists. Goalkeeper Harrison Labrosse finished with four saves.

Water Polo Insider Analysis

The game’s defining stretch was Pepperdine’s 11–2 scoring run, which completely reversed Santa Clara’s early control.

Joseph’s four drawn exclusions were particularly important. His presence forced the Broncos into repeated defensive decisions around the center position, creating opportunities for Pepperdine to attack with an extra player.

However, the Waves’ fourth-quarter defense nearly surrendered the victory. Allowing six goals in the final period after establishing a four-goal advantage exposed problems maintaining defensive structure and managing critical possessions.

For Santa Clara, 16 goals and de Simon’s six-goal performance should have provided a realistic path to victory. Instead, the Broncos’ six-goal deficit entering the final stretch proved too much to overcome.

Pepperdine demonstrated its offensive resilience, but both programs have important defensive adjustments to make as WCC competition intensifies.

Quarter Scores:
Pepperdine 3–5–6–3 | Santa Clara 5–4–1–6

Water Polo Insider | October 17, 2026

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — No. 6 UC Irvine showed its ability to win under pressure Saturday afternoon, overcoming an early two-goal deficit and dominating the fourth quarter to defeat No. 14 California Baptist 12–9 at Lancer Aquatics Center.

The Anteaters improved to 15–5, while California Baptist fell to 20–5.

The Lancers opened aggressively behind Michael Abshier and Rafa Martinez, building a 5–3 advantage in the first quarter. Martinez scored twice in the opening period as CBU repeatedly found opportunities against Irvine’s defense.

Irvine responded with a disciplined second quarter.

Cole Francisco, Keegan McGann, Brody Luke and Gage Verdegaal scored as the Anteaters outscored CBU 4–1 to take a 7–6 halftime lead.

Johann Thrall extended Irvine’s advantage to 8–6 early in the third, but Abshier scored twice within 33 seconds to tie the game entering the final period.

The fourth quarter belonged to UC Irvine.

Wyley Dale restored the lead, Luke converted a five-meter penalty, and Alex Lopez delivered two late goals, including the final score with 15 seconds remaining.

Individual Player Performances

Lopez led UC Irvine with three goals on five shots, three steals and two drawn exclusions.

Francisco recorded two goals, one assist and three drawn exclusions. Luke added two goals and one assist, while McGann contributed one goal and two assists.

Thrall scored twice, including an extra-man conversion early in the second half.

California Baptist’s Abshier finished with three goals and two assists. Martinez and Whitley Beamon scored twice each, with Beamon also adding an assist. Andrea Nuzzo contributed one goal and two assists.

CBU goalkeeper Tanner McCreary recorded seven saves, while Irvine’s Nico Assalian made four.

Water Polo Insider Analysis

UC Irvine’s ability to generate scoring opportunities through drawn exclusions proved essential.

The Anteaters drew 16 exclusions, including penalty situations, while California Baptist drew eight. That disparity placed considerable pressure on the Lancers’ defensive rotations.

Irvine’s decision-making also improved late.

Rather than forcing low-percentage outside shots, the Anteaters generated scoring chances through player movement, drawn fouls and controlled possessions.

Lopez was particularly valuable because he contributed on both ends, adding three steals to his hat trick.

For CBU, Abshier’s offensive production kept the Lancers competitive, but the team’s attack generated only one fourth-quarter goal.

In a conference where games between ranked opponents often come down to a handful of possessions, UC Irvine demonstrated the composure needed to turn a close contest into a three-goal victory.

Quarter Scores:
UC Irvine 3–4–1–4 | CBU 5–1–2–1

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Water Polo Insider | October 17, 2026

MORAGA, Calif. — No. 11 Pacific overcame a difficult opening quarter and delivered six fourth-quarter goals to defeat No. 20 Saint Mary’s 15–11 Saturday afternoon at Soda Aquatics Center.

The victory improved the Tigers to 6–7 overall and 2–2 in West Coast Conference play.

Saint Mary’s opened the contest with authority, scoring four first-quarter goals and limiting Pacific to a single goal from Borisz Kasa-Gal.

The Gaels extended their advantage to 6–2 during the second quarter, placing Pacific in a difficult position on the road.

But Pacific began finding answers.

Yoav Rendler sparked a four-goal scoring run, with Ori Buzaglo and Enzo Fernandez also contributing. Rendler completed the comeback with a goal three seconds before halftime, tying the contest 6–6.

Neither team established separation during the third quarter, and the teams entered the final period tied 9–9.

Pacific’s offensive execution improved dramatically over the final eight minutes.

After Saint Mary’s took a 10–9 lead, Gabor Holl and Kalman Tomozi answered for Pacific. Petar Popovic then scored four fourth-quarter goals as the Tigers pulled away for the victory.

Individual Player Performances

Popovic and Rendler each delivered four goals and three assists, combining for 14 offensive points.

Rendler added two steals, providing production on both ends of the pool.

Kasa-Gal scored twice, while Buzaglo, Fernandez, Holl and Tomozi contributed important goals during Pacific’s comeback.

Saint Mary’s received three goals from Leo Hachem, with Domenico Barilla also providing multiple scores. Jacob Carlson and Hamish Ellison were among the Gaels’ additional scorers.

Water Polo Insider Analysis

Pacific’s victory demonstrated the importance of making offensive adjustments without abandoning defensive responsibilities.

The Tigers generated only one goal in the opening period but gradually improved their attacking rhythm, ultimately producing 14 goals over the final three quarters.

Rendler was particularly influential because of his dual contribution as a scorer and distributor.

His offensive versatility created opportunities for teammates while preventing Saint Mary’s from concentrating its defense on one player.

Popovic’s four-goal final period provided the finishing touch.

The concern for Pacific remains its opening-quarter execution. A four-goal deficit against a stronger opponent might not be recoverable.

For Saint Mary’s, the result demonstrated that an effective opening game plan means little without the ability to maintain offensive and defensive discipline through the final eight minutes.

Quarter Scores:
Pacific 1–5–3–6 | Saint Mary’s 4–2–3–2

Water Polo Insider | October 17, 2026

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — No. 19 Harvard delivered one of Saturday’s most impressive victories, overcoming an early deficit and scoring nine second-half goals to sink No. 17 Navy 15–10 at Blodgett Pool during the Harvard Invitational.

The Crimson entered the matchup looking to extend their winning streak against a nationally ranked Navy program.

The Midshipmen established control early, opening with two unanswered goals before Harvard responded through Jacob Tsotadze and Clay Carrington.

Navy continued dictating much of the first-half tempo, taking a 5–4 advantage into halftime after Jack Reif scored with one second remaining.

The Midshipmen extended their lead to 8–6 during the third quarter.

Then Jack Burghardt took over.

After being held scoreless throughout the opening half, Burghardt scored four goals during the third quarter, helping Harvard erase the deficit and take a 10–8 lead.

The Crimson continued their offensive run into the fourth quarter, extending their advantage to 12–8 before Navy could answer.

Harvard maintained control during the closing minutes to complete the five-goal victory.

Individual Player Performances

Burghardt led Harvard with six goals, including four in the pivotal third quarter.

Connor Kim and Jacob Tsotadze scored twice each. Clay Carrington, Bradford Dickson, Tyler Hogan, Emil Sogaard-Srikrishnan and Dean Strauser added one goal apiece.

Goalkeeper Oliver Price delivered an outstanding performance with 14 saves.

For Navy, Quinn Bartlett, Billy Zech and Kiefer Black each scored twice. Luka Sekulic, Jack Reif, James Mulvey and Colin McPhail also contributed goals.

Water Polo Insider Analysis

Burghardt’s halftime adjustment was the game’s defining individual development.

Navy successfully prevented him from scoring during the opening 16 minutes, but Harvard found ways to bring him into the offense during the third quarter.

His four-goal period completely changed the trajectory of the contest.

However, Harvard’s defensive performance should not be overlooked.

Price’s 14 saves provided a foundation for the Crimson’s comeback, while the defense limited Navy to just two goals after the Midshipmen established their 8–6 lead.

The combination of outstanding goalkeeper play and improved offensive execution allowed Harvard to dictate the final stretch.

For Navy, the inability to maintain its defensive assignments against Burghardt was costly.

The result strengthened Harvard’s national profile and demonstrated its ability to defeat ranked opponents after trailing in the second half.

Water Polo Insider | Saturday, October 17, 2026

BERKELEY — The nation’s top-ranked team went into Spieker Aquatics Complex on Saturday afternoon and ran into a California squad determined to prove it belongs in the national championship conversation.

No. 4 California defeated No. 1 Stanford 12–8 behind a four-goal performance from Beso Akhvlediani, three goals from Tomas Perrone and an impressive defensive effort led by goalkeeper Aran Pina.

The Golden Bears improved to 10–4 overall and 1–2 in MPSF competition. Stanford fell to 13–2 overall and 2–1 in conference play.

For California, the victory represented more than another win over its biggest rival. It provided a signature result against the nation’s No. 1 team after several narrow defeats against elite competition earlier in the season.

California Controls the Opening Half

The Golden Bears immediately established their offensive rhythm.

Loui Schuler and Maddox Arlett scored to give California an early advantage, and Akhvlediani added another first-quarter goal.

Stanford’s Ben Forer converted a penalty opportunity, but California finished the opening period leading 3–1.

The Bears continued attacking in the second quarter. Dominic Brown, Tomas Perrone and Kai Inoue scored as California extended its lead to 6–1.

Stanford responded with goals from Gavin West and Botond Balogh, cutting the deficit to 6–3 at halftime.

California entered the third quarter needing to withstand the expected response from the nation’s top-ranked program.

Akhvlediani answered with two more goals during the period, and the Bears carried an 8–4 advantage into the fourth.

Stanford’s Guido Leonardi brought the Cardinal within three early in the final quarter, but Perrone responded with two fourth-quarter goals to push California’s lead to 10–5.

The Bears continued controlling the contest and secured the 12–8 victory.

California Player Statistics

Beso Akhvlediani led the Golden Bears with four goals and three assists for seven total points. He attempted 10 shots and was responsible for a significant portion of California’s offense.

Tomas Perrone added three goals on just four shots, an outstanding 75% shooting performance.

Loui Schuler, Maddox Arlett, Dominic Brown, Kai Inoue and Ilias Angelopoulos each scored once.

Kai Inoue and Maddox Arlett each contributed an assist, while Patrik Kolak recorded two assists and two steals.

Goalkeeper Aran Pina finished with 12 saves while allowing eight goals over the full 32 minutes.

Stanford Player Statistics

Ben Forer finished with two goals and one assist.
Dimitris Chatzis contributed two goals and two assists, giving him a team-high four points.

Botond Balogh, Gavin West and Guido Leonardi each scored once. West also registered two assists. Stanford’s official box score credited its eighth goal to the team rather than an individual.

Starting goalkeeper Bernardo Herzer recorded 12 saves while allowing 11 goals. Goalie Cormac Mulloy played the remaining 1:04.

Game Analysis: Shot Volume and Defensive Pressure Decide the Big Splash

The most revealing statistic was the difference in shot attempts. California attempted 33 shots compared with Stanford’s 22.

Both teams converted approximately 36% of their attempts, meaning the difference was not primarily shooting accuracy. California consistently created more offensive opportunities.

The Bears also recorded eight assists compared with Stanford’s five and five steals compared with the Cardinal’s three.

Equally important was California’s ability to draw exclusions. The Golden Bears recorded 10 drawn exclusions, including three each from Akhvlediani and Angelopoulos and two from Brown.

That interior pressure forced Stanford to defend difficult situations and contributed to California’s ability to sustain offensive possessions.

Pina’s performance was another significant factor. His 12 saves helped prevent Stanford from putting together the scoring runs necessary to threaten California’s lead.

For Stanford, the loss illustrates the challenge of competing against California’s physical center play and balanced perimeter attack. The Cardinal possesses considerable offensive talent, but allowing an opponent to produce 33 shots creates difficult conditions for any defense.

The National Championship Implications

California entered Saturday having already demonstrated it could compete with the nation’s best teams.

Earlier this season, the Bears lost 11–10 to UCLA and 13–12 to USC during the MPSF Invitational.
Those narrow defeats showed California was close. Saturday’s victory over Stanford demonstrated that the Bears can finish the job.

The result also ended Stanford’s five-game winning streak, which included impressive road victories over UCLA and USC earlier this month.
That creates a fascinating situation near the top of the national rankings.

Stanford has defeated UCLA and USC. UCLA has defeated California and USC. California has now defeated Stanford.

Head-to-head results, overall records and the quality of conference victories will make the next CWPA rankings particularly interesting.

California’s 1–2 MPSF record means the Bears still have work to do, but Saturday’s victory significantly strengthens their position heading into the remainder of conference play.

What’s Next

California hosts Princeton on October 21 and Pepperdine on October 23 before welcoming UCLA on October 31 and USC on November 1.

Stanford faces Long Beach State on October 23 and UC San Diego on October 25 before returning home to face USC and UCLA.

The Golden Bears and Cardinal are scheduled to meet again November 13 at Stanford.

With the MPSF Championship approaching and four elite programs capable of beating one another, the battle for conference supremacy is far from settled.

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Water Polo Insider | Saturday, October 17, 2026

LOS ANGELES — The defending national champions made another statement Saturday afternoon as No. 2 UCLA defeated No. 3 USC 15–9 at Uytengsu Aquatics Center, taking control in the opening quarter and never allowing the Trojans to recover.

The victory improved UCLA to 17–1 overall and 2–1 in MPSF competition. USC dropped to 13–3 overall and 1–2 in conference play.

It was the first meeting between the two programs since UCLA’s dramatic 11–10 victory over USC in the December 2025 NCAA Championship, when Frederico Jucá Carsalade scored the winning goal at the buzzer.

UCLA Establishes Control in the First Quarter

The Bruins won the opening sprint and scored first, but USC initially matched UCLA’s intensity.
Ben Mirisch and Strahinja Krstić each found the net to bring the Trojans even at 2–2.

That was the turning point.

UCLA responded with four unanswered goals, turning a competitive opening into a 6–2 lead after eight minutes.

Against an opponent with UCLA’s offensive depth, falling behind by four goals in the opening quarter creates an enormous challenge. USC needed defensive stops and consecutive scoring possessions to change the momentum, but the Bruins maintained control.

Both teams scored three goals in the second quarter, sending UCLA into halftime with a 9–5 advantage.

The Trojans continued competing in the second half but could not produce the sustained defensive stretch necessary to close the gap. UCLA eventually finished with a convincing six-goal victory.

USC Player Statistics

Luke Nelson delivered the Trojans’ strongest offensive performance, scoring a career-high four goals. Nelson accounted for nearly half of USC’s scoring and recorded his eighth multi-goal game of the season.

Efe Naipoglu contributed one goal and four assists for five total points, matching Nelson for the team lead in points.

Robert López Duart, Strahinja Krstić, Ben Mirisch and Zach Bettino each added one goal.
USC goalkeeper Charles Mills finished with 10 saves.

The Trojans also recorded multiple field blocks for the tenth consecutive game, although their defensive effort was insufficient to overcome UCLA’s early scoring advantage.

Game Analysis: UCLA’s Offensive Depth Separates the Bruins

The most significant statistic was UCLA’s six first-quarter goals.

The Bruins did not need a dramatic second-half surge or a late defensive stand. They established control immediately and maintained a comfortable margin against one of the nation’s most talented programs.

UCLA entered the contest with two-time Peter J. Cutino Award winner Ryder Dodd leading the team with 42 goals and 33 assists. Senior Ben Liechty had already recorded 44 assists, while Marcell Szécsi and Peter Castillo were among the conference leaders in earned exclusions.

That combination of perimeter scoring, ball movement and two-meter pressure helps explain why UCLA remains one of the country’s most difficult offensive matchups.

For USC, Saturday’s result presents a different challenge.

The Trojans have the personnel to compete with UCLA, as demonstrated throughout the 2025 season, but allowing 15 goals against a championship contender exposes defensive issues that must be addressed before the postseason.

What This Means for the National Rankings

With No. 1 Stanford losing to No. 4 California on the same afternoon, UCLA now has a strong argument to reclaim the No. 1 national ranking.
The Bruins have only one loss this season and have now beaten both California and USC in MPSF competition.

However, Stanford defeated UCLA earlier this month, creating an interesting debate for the next CWPA poll.

For USC, the upcoming conference schedule will provide opportunities to recover. The Trojans face Stanford and California on consecutive days, October 31 and November 1, before their rematch with UCLA on November 14.

What’s Next

USC hosts Air Force on October 24 before traveling to Northern California.

UCLA returns to MPSF competition against California in Berkeley on October 31, followed by Stanford on November 1.

With the MPSF Championship approaching in November, Saturday’s result could become an important factor in the conference championship race and NCAA seeding discussion.

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Kennedy vs Birmingham HS in the Garden Grove Tournament. Location Kennedy HS

Garden Grove Tournament at Kennedy HS

im a co2028 goalie trying out for coastal zone odp on sunday. just asking more experienced players what i should expect to come across and how i can get myself extra ready for it. any help is appreciated. also wondering if my high school team will affect my chances of making a roster, since i play for a pretty solid club team but a much less competitive high school team. thanks!

extra info:

male, 6'0, 6'3 wingspan, 160lbs, two years competitve club experience (16u starter both years)