No. 3 USC Men’s Water Polo Takes 13-10 Loss To No. 2 UCLA
Robert López Duart scores a game-high four goals for the Trojans in an MPSF loss to the Bruins.
LOS ANGELES — The No. 3 USC men's water polo team had No. 2 UCLA in its sights before the Bruins made a third-period rally to take a lead and hold on for a 13-10 win over the host Trojans today at Uytengsu Aquatics Center. USC was paced by Robert López Duart's four-goal effort, although the Trojans go to 15-3 overall and 1-2 in MPSF play with the loss.
It was a true rivalry battle in the first half, with five ties in those first 16 minutes of action. The Bruins broke through first, but the Trojans punched up back-to-back goals on strikes from López Duart and Evan Ausmus around a couple big defensive plays from goalie Bernardo Herzer to get a 2-1 lead. UCLA equalized just before the buzzer to make it 2-2, only to see USC deliver in the second. Carson Kranz let loose a laser to nudge USC ahead 3-2, and then López Duart rattled in a bar-in blast for a 4-2 USC advantage. The Bruins reined in the Trojans with two 6-on-5 finishes, and then Stefan Brankovic sizzled in a go-ahead goal for the Trojan cause. The teams would trade goals in the next two minutes of the first half, and USC gripped a 7-6 halftime lead.
UCLA benefited from a pair of power plays to edge into an 8-7 lead in the third, then found an even score to go up 9-7. Max Miller tore off a blazing backhand to get USC one back, but the Bruins bit back with a counterattack finish and then a last-minute goal to go up 11-8 entering the fourth. López Duart's fourth of the day tugged the Trojans within two, but USC would get no closer. UCLA managed back-to-back goals next, and Zach Bettino laced in his second to wrap the game as a 13-10 final score in UCLA's favor.
NEXT:
USC has its final home stand of 2024 next weekend, hosting UC Davis in a 12 p.m. clash on Saturday (Oct. 26) on Alumni Day for the Trojans. At 1:30 p.m. that day, USC welcomes its alums to the pool for an Alumni Game in the home waters of Uytengsu Aquatics Center.
NOTABLE:
- With a game-high four goals, Robert López Duart continues to lead USC in scoring this season, now with 38 goals.
- With their goals today, López Duart and Max Miller have each now scored in 17 of USC's 18 games so far this season.
- López Duart and Miller also have each scored at least one goal in USC's last 12 straight games.
#2 UCLA 13, #3 USC 10
Oct. 19, 2024 | Uytengsu Aquatics Center (Los Angeles, Calif.)
USC 2 - 5 - 1 - 2 = 10
UCLA 2 - 4 - 5 - 2 = 13
SCORING:
USC — Robert López Duart 4, Zach Bettino 2, Evan Ausmus, Carson Kranz, Stefan Brankovic, Max Miller.
UCLA —Ryder Dodd 3, Aaron Voggenthaler 2, Peter Castillo 2, Ben Liechty 2, Federico Jucá Carsalade, Wade Sherlock, Jack Larsen, Makoto Kenney.
SAVES: Bernardo Herzer (USC) 5, Garret Griggs (UCLA) 10.
