Cal Water Polo: No. 1 Bears Crush No. 2 USC in National Title-Game Rematch
Updated
Top-ranked and two-time defending men’s water polo national champion Cal cruised through its first serious test of the young season, crushing No. 2 USC 12-5 at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The Bears (6-0), who beat USC by identical scores of13-12 to claim the past two national titles, led 4-1 after the first quarter in this one. The margin was 9-3 by halftime, with junior Max Casabella accounting for five of those first-half goals.
USC (4-1) got no closer than five goals at any time in the second half as the Bears won for the sixth straight meeting between the two powerhouse programs.
Two-time national player of the year Nikoloas Papanikolaou, Roberto Valera and Albert Ponferrada each scored twice for the Bears. Valera also had two assists and Wyatt Mundelius contributed the final goal.
All-America goalie Adrian Weinberg had 11 blocks or saves and three steals.
USC converted just 14 percent of its shot attempts (5-for-36) while Cal scored on 40 percent (12-for-30) of its shots. USC's five goals were a season-low allowed by the Bears and the seven-goal margin of victory was their biggest against the Trojans since Kirk Everist became coach in 2002.
Cal entered the game having outscored its first five opponents by a combined margin of 90-34. USC had a 67-25 goals differential through four games.
The Bears have won each of their first six matches by at least six goals.
Cal is hoping to become the first team to win three consecutive national crowns since USC captured six in a row from 2008 through 2013.
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*** UPDATE: The Bears improved to 7-0 with a 10-9 overtime victory at Pepperdine on Sunday. Papanikolaou scored the game winner with 4 seconds left in OT off an assist from Nik Mirkovic.
Valera scored twice and had one assist, Papanikolaou finished with a pair of goals and Casabella contributed one goal and two assists.
Cover photo of Cal coach Kirk Everist talking with his players during a timeout.
Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo