Trojans Top No. 2 Bruins to Clinch Conference Title
It was difficult to overstate the importance of the outcome of Sunday’s water polo match between USC and UCLA.
Not only were the top-ranked Trojans playing host to their rivals, they defeated the No. 2 team in the nation, 9-6, and clinched the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular-season title.
“It was a great victory for us to start off this USC-UCLA week, but more important it probably gives us a berth in the NCAAs,” said John Williams, USC co-head coach.
USC (20-1, 7-0) got four goals from Peter Janov, and Trojan goaltender Richard McEvoy made 11 saves against the Bruins (15-4, 6-2).
UCLA’s Parsa Bonderson made nine saves.
The Trojans opened quickly, as Marko Pintaric scored a two-pointer 30 seconds into the match. A goal by James Castle made it 3-0 before UCLA scored twice.
The Trojans finish MPSF play Tuesday at Long Beach State, then end the regular season with a match at UCLA Saturday that will not count in conference standings.
THE MPSF tournament begins Nov. 27 at Corona Del Mar, with two of the league teams most likely advancing to the NCAA Final Four.
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