Southern California won its second consecutive men’s water polo championship December 6 with a 7-6 victory over rival UCLA in Princeton, New Jersey. The Trojans never trailed in the match and finished the year 26-2.

Senior Jordan Thompson scored twice in the game. Classmates J.W. Krumpholz (who scored in his fourth consecutive title match), Shea Buckner and Matt Sagehorn also tallied scores in their final match as Trojans. Sophomore Peter Kurzeka also scored twice. [More]

Semifinals

Southern California scoring: J.W. Krumpholz 3, Matt Sagehorn 2, Shea Buckner 2, Jordan Thompson 2, Justin Rappel, Kyle Sterling, Nico Sardo, Brian Boswell.

Princeton scoring: Matt Hale, Eric Vreeland, Mark Zalewski.
Saves: Joel Dennerley (Southern California) 11, Bretty Giery (Southern California 6, Mike Merlone (Princeton) 7, Scottie Hvidy (Princeton) 2.

UCLA scoring: Scott Davidson 5, Griffin White 2, Cole Consani, Clinton Jorth.
Loyola Marymount scoring: Tibor Forai 4, Ikaika Aki 2, Edgaras Asajavicius, Derek Milligan.
Saves: Chay Lapin (UCLA) 5, Andy Stevens (Loyola Marymount) 11.

Third-place game

Princeton scoring: Mark Zalewski 2, Matt Hale 1, Tommy Parolin, Billy Tifft, Douglas Wigley.
Loyola Marymount scoring: Albert Samuels 2, Ikaika Aki, Edgaras Asajavicius, Brian Benedetti.
Saves: Mike Merlone (Princeton) 7, Andy Stevens (Loyola Marymount) 12.

Championship game

Southern California scoring: Peter Kurzeka 2, Jordan Thompson 2, Shea Buckner, J.W. Krumpholz, Matt Sagehorn.
UCLA scoring: Benn Hohl 3, Emilio Vieira, Griffin White, Jacob Murphy.
Saves: Joel Dennerley (Southern California) 12, Chay Lapin (UCLA) 7.