Southern California had to work double-time to earn this year's men's water polo championship. The top-ranked Trojans battled through double overtime to a 9-7 win over defending national champion and second-ranked Stanford in the National Collegiate Men's Water Polo Championship game December 7 at Stanford's Avery Aquatic Center.

The Trojans jumped to an early lead on first-period scores by Cameron Kaiser and Predrag Damjanov. In the second period, James Shin found the back of the net for Southern California and Kaiser also tallied his second goal of the game. Stanford's lone score in the first half came on the first of four by Tony Azevedo.

In the second half, Stanford pulled even on three straight goals -- Azevedo's second of the game, a six-on-five chance by Mike Derse and a power-play shot by Peter Varellas. But Southern California surged ahead once again on scores from Gadi Hadar deep in the third period and Damjanov in the fourth.

Stanford answered with a shot by Matt Moser and two more scores from Azevedo to put the Cardinal up, 7-6, with just 2:28 left in regulation. But, with about a minute and half left, Hadar tied the game at 7 on an extra-man situation.

Trevor Clark finally put the Trojans ahead to stay. With less than a minute left in the second three-minute overtime, Clark slammed a shot past Cardinal goalkeeper Chad Taylor. Damjanov secured a Southern California victory with another goal with just 14 seconds remaining in the overtime period.

Southern California coach Jovan Vavic said it was memorable season for the Trojans.

"And there is nothing better than winning a national championship," he said.

Stanford coach John Vargas said he was proud of his team.

"I thought we played well defensively," he said, "but give credit to USC, they played great."

The Trojans advanced to the title game after defeating Navy, 10-6, in the semifinals. The Trojans finished the 2003 campaign with a 23-3 record. Stanford, which ended the season at 22-5, earned the opportunity to defend its crown after a 14-8 victory over Loyola Marymount.

The all-tournament team consisted of Stanford's Azevedo, Derse and Varellas, Southern California's Damjanov, Bozidar Damjanovic and Juraj Zatovic, and Endre Rex-Kiss of Loyola Marymount.

Semifinals

Stanford 3 4 3 4 -- 14

Loyola Marymount 1 2 2 3 -- 8

Stanford goals: Tony Azevedo 4, Peter Varellas 4, J.J. Garton 3, Thomas Hopkins 2, Greg Crum.

Loyola Marymount goals: Endre Rex-Kiss 4, Tamas Szego 2, Kris Barr, Ryan Chapatte.

Saves: Stanford (Chad Taylor) 7, Loyola Marymount (Ian Elliot) 10.

Southern California goals: Juraj Zatovic 3, Nick Andrejic 2, Brett Reynolds, Predrag Damjanov, Ted Zepfel, Trevor Clark, Juan Delgadillo.

Navy goals: Patrick Rollo 2, Jordan Gentry, Bill Miante, Alex Ratcliffe, Michael Suriano.

Saves: Navy (Patrick McCreary) 8, Southern California (Bozidar Damjanovic, Don Ricci) 7.

Third-place game

Loyola Marymount goals: Tamas Szego 3, Endre Rex-Kiss 3, Ryan Chapatte 4.

Navy goals: Joe Donahue 3, Alex Ratcliffe 2, Jordan Gentry, Tim Fox.

Saves: Loyola Marymount (Ian Elliot) 13, Navy (Patrick McCreary) 3.

Championship

Southern California goals: Predrag Damjanov 3, Gadi Hadar 2, Cameron Kaiser 2, James Shin, Trevor Clark.

Stanford goals: Tony Azevedo 4, Mike Derse, Matt Moser, Peter Varellas.

Saves: Southern California (Bozidar Damjanovic) 14; Stanford (Chad Taylor) 11.