General Alex Ellison
University of Redlands Wins 2024 NCAA Men's Division III National Championship
University of Redlands defeated Chapman University to claim the DIII National Championship
Redlands, CA - December 9 - The USA Water Polo Men's Division III Collegiate Championship wrapped up yesterday at Thompson Aquatic Center with the University of Redlands Bulldogs capturing the National Championship. The Bulldogs defeated Augustana College, 16-5, and Chapman University, 14-13, on their way to the title.
The Championship final on Sunday afternoon was the third time Redlands and Chapman met this season as the Bulldogs and Panthers are familiar foes. Redlands would strike first as Spencer Clinton found the back of the net for the Bulldogs but Everett Prussak and Davin Castillo responded for Chapman to take the lead. From there, Ron Gvishi knotted things for Redlands before Castillo scored again for Chapman. Callum Norman and Nate Randolph traded goals, for Redlands and Chapman respectively, before Steven Rubly put the Panthers ahead by two. With time winding down in the opening period, Dean Moody scored for the home team and Chapman held a 5-4 lead after one.
Down by one to start the quarter, Redlands found back-to-back goals from Max Wagener and Tanner Whitson to retake the lead. Prussak and Christian Gotterup would have a response for Chapman and the Panthers jumped back in front. In the closing minutes of the half, Nicolas Fedotov scored for the Bulldogs and Gotterup converted on a five meter attempt for Chapman to hold a narrow 8-7 edge at the break.
In the third period, Fedotov put home a pair of goals to get things going for Redlands before Gotterup beat the goalkeeper on a power play for Chapman. It was then that the Bulldogs put together a critical stretch where Whitson, Norman, and Fedotov scored in quick succession to bring a tie game to a three-score lead. With under one minute to play in the period, Castillo scored to register a hat trick on the day for the Panthers and Redlands led 12-10 headed to the final frame.
Randolph found the back of the net for Chapman to begin the fourth quarter before Moody answered for Redlands. In the closing minutes, Prussak brought the Panthers back within one and then Fedotov ignited the home crowd with his fifth goal of the day. With 0:48 to go, Gotterup put home his fourth of the day but Chapman could not muster another goal on its final possession and the Bulldogs would hang on to claim the 2024 Men's Division III National Championship, 14-13.
Nicolas Fedotov was named MVP after putting up five goals, twi assists, and two steals in the final. The Bulldogs were aided by Norman, Moody, and Whitson with two goals each in the victory.
Sunday morning brought the third place game between Augustana College and MIT. The Augustana Vikings were impressive on the defensive end as they claimed third place over MIT, 9-7. Mark Addison led the way with three goals and Declan Hutton recorded 11 saves in net. MIT got two goals from Kunal Rajadhyax while goalkeeper Armaan Gill notched four saves and three steals in defeat.
All-Tournament Team
MVP: Nicolas Fedotov, Redlands
Roberto Barrera, Redlands
Nate Randolph, Chapman
Christian Gotterup, Chapman
Mark Addison, Augustana
Declan Hutton, Augustana
Kush Khamesra, MIT
In the semifinal round on Saturday, Redlands bested Augustana College, 16-5. Tanner Whitson, Max Wagener, and Tanner Stagner each contributed three goals for the Bulldogs while Roberto Barrera tallied eight saves and two steals in net. Augustana's Rhys Lomax scored twice in the loss.
On the other side of the bracket, Chapman survived against MIT, 12-11, to advance to the National Championship game. Nate Randolph scored five times while Christian Gotterup and Everett Prussak contributed two goals each for the Panthers. William Ewald netted three goals and Kunal Rajadhyax scored two for the Engineers in defeat.
The Championship final on Sunday afternoon was the third time Redlands and Chapman met this season as the Bulldogs and Panthers are familiar foes. Redlands would strike first as Spencer Clinton found the back of the net for the Bulldogs but Everett Prussak and Davin Castillo responded for Chapman to take the lead. From there, Ron Gvishi knotted things for Redlands before Castillo scored again for Chapman. Callum Norman and Nate Randolph traded goals, for Redlands and Chapman respectively, before Steven Rubly put the Panthers ahead by two. With time winding down in the opening period, Dean Moody scored for the home team and Chapman held a 5-4 lead after one.
Down by one to start the quarter, Redlands found back-to-back goals from Max Wagener and Tanner Whitson to retake the lead. Prussak and Christian Gotterup would have a response for Chapman and the Panthers jumped back in front. In the closing minutes of the half, Nicolas Fedotov scored for the Bulldogs and Gotterup converted on a five meter attempt for Chapman to hold a narrow 8-7 edge at the break.
In the third period, Fedotov put home a pair of goals to get things going for Redlands before Gotterup beat the goalkeeper on a power play for Chapman. It was then that the Bulldogs put together a critical stretch where Whitson, Norman, and Fedotov scored in quick succession to bring a tie game to a three-score lead. With under one minute to play in the period, Castillo scored to register a hat trick on the day for the Panthers and Redlands led 12-10 headed to the final frame.
Randolph found the back of the net for Chapman to begin the fourth quarter before Moody answered for Redlands. In the closing minutes, Prussak brought the Panthers back within one and then Fedotov ignited the home crowd with his fifth goal of the day. With 0:48 to go, Gotterup put home his fourth of the day but Chapman could not muster another goal on its final possession and the Bulldogs would hang on to claim the 2024 Men's Division III National Championship, 14-13.
Nicolas Fedotov was named MVP after putting up five goals, twi assists, and two steals in the final. The Bulldogs were aided by Norman, Moody, and Whitson with two goals each in the victory.
Sunday morning brought the third place game between Augustana College and MIT. The Augustana Vikings were impressive on the defensive end as they claimed third place over MIT, 9-7. Mark Addison led the way with three goals and Declan Hutton recorded 11 saves in net. MIT got two goals from Kunal Rajadhyax while goalkeeper Armaan Gill notched four saves and three steals in defeat.
All-Tournament Team
MVP: Nicolas Fedotov, Redlands
Roberto Barrera, Redlands
Nate Randolph, Chapman
Christian Gotterup, Chapman
Mark Addison, Augustana
Declan Hutton, Augustana
Kush Khamesra, MIT
In the semifinal round on Saturday, Redlands bested Augustana College, 16-5. Tanner Whitson, Max Wagener, and Tanner Stagner each contributed three goals for the Bulldogs while Roberto Barrera tallied eight saves and two steals in net. Augustana's Rhys Lomax scored twice in the loss.
On the other side of the bracket, Chapman survived against MIT, 12-11, to advance to the National Championship game. Nate Randolph scored five times while Christian Gotterup and Everett Prussak contributed two goals each for the Panthers. William Ewald netted three goals and Kunal Rajadhyax scored two for the Engineers in defeat.
