UCLA Wins 2025 National League Championship
Walnut, CA - April 28 - The 2025 National League Championship wrapped up at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA yesterday with UCLA winning the championship title over The Olympic Club. Los Angeles Athletic Club finished the season in third place. For complete Championship Weekend results, click here. For more statistics from the National League, click here.
Final 2025 National League Standings
- UCLA
- The Olympic Club
- Los Angeles Athletic Club
- New York Athletic Club
- USA Pipeline
- Channel Cats
- Trojan
- Long Beach AF
- Anteater
- Riptide
- Channel Islands
- Sunset WPC
Individual Award Winners
- MVP: Ryder Dodd, UCLA
- Top Scorer: Ryan Ohl, USA Pipeline
- Top Goalkeeper: Brendon Gyapjas, Channel Cats
- Top Coach: Eric Carnohan, Los Angeles Athletic Club
UCLA Wins The Championship: UCLA was able to hold off The Olympic Club 19-17 after a penalty shootout to claim the National League title. The sides traded scores to get things going as Colin Mulcahy, Connor Stapleton, Johnny Hooper, and Riley Pittman scored for Olympic Club while Ben Liechty, Ryder Dodd (3), and Gray Carson scored to give UCLA a 5-4 lead after one. Both defenses came to play in the second, with the Bruins holding the Winged O scoreless while they managed just two goals from Charles Matthews and Marcell Szecsi to hold a 7-4 lead at the half.
After a defensive second quarter, the third period was an offensive display as the two squads combined for 11 total goals. It was Mulcahy (2), Longton (2), and Paul Reynolds scoring for Olympic Club and Ben Larsen (2), Ryder Dodd (2), Carson, and Federico Juan Carsalade for UCLA with Carsalade's goal happening at 0:01 on the clock to give the Bruins a 13-9 edge. Down four entering the fourth, The Olympic Club needed a big quarter to survive and that's exactly what they got. Hooper started things off with a penalty shot goal to cut the deficit to three before Ryder Dodd scored his sixth on the day for UCLA. Reynolds, Pittman, and Hooper chimed in on three consecutive goals to bring Olympic Club within one before Ryder Dodd continued his huge day with a seventh score. In the last two minutes of regulation, Olympic Club earned two penalties and Reynolds was up to the task both times to knot the score at 15-15. Each side had at least one more shot attempt but were turned away so the Championship Final entered a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, UCLA shot first and Ryder Dodd converted with ease. Olympic Club sent Paul Reynolds to the five meter line, fresh off two fourth quarter conversions, and he was denied by Bruins goalkeeper Nathan Tauscher. Carsalade stepped up to knock down the second UCLA attempt and then Mulcahy was denied by Tauscher. In a crucial situation, Olympic Club goalkeeper Jack Turner was able to fend off Peter Castillo's attempt to keep hope alive. From there, Ethan Parrish scored to get Olympic Club back on track but Ben Liechty did the same for UCLA. Longton was next for Olympic Club and he converted, leaving Bode Brinkema up next with a chance to win it for the Bruins. Brinkema leapt out of the water and fired to the right side of the cage where it was initially blocked by Turner before finding its way past the line for the game-winner. UCLA emerged victorious 19-17 after a thrilling Championship Final.
In the semifinal, UCLA upended New York Athletic Club 15-12 behind three goals from Marcell Szecsi and two each by Chase Dodd, Peter Castillo, and Bode Brinkema. Nathan Tauscher notched 14 saves in net for the Bruins. During quarterfinal play, UCLA beat Channel Cats 16-6 as Ryder Dodd scored four goals and handed out four assists. Chase Dodd, Gray Carson, and Ben Larsen each scored two in victory.
The Olympic Club Finishes Second: Before reaching the final, The Olympic Club defeated Los Angeles Athletic Club in the semifinal 18-16 with four goals from Colin Mulcahy and three each by Wyatt Barker and Jackson Painter. Jack Turner notched seven saves in net for the Winged O. In quarterfinal action, The Olympic Club beat Long Beach AF 17-10 as Riley Pittman scored four and Paul Reynolds added three.
Filipovic And Varga Star In The States: Filip Filipovic and Denes Varga made quite the pair of teammates this weekend in Walnut. In Los Angeles Athletic Club's quarterfinal match, Varga recorded four goals, two steals, and one assist to upend USA Pipeline. Filipovic scored one and also had one assist on a beautiful pass to Varga for a redirect. In the semifinal against The Olympic Club, Varga scored four again with one assist and one steal. Filipovic found the back of the net twice and handed out two assists in the loss. On Sunday in the third place match, Filipovic scored once again to help beat New York Athletic Club while Varga did not cap up.
League Award Winners: Congratulations to the best individual performers during the 2025 National League Championship! UCLA's Ryder Dodd was named League MVP. USA Pipeline's Ryan Ohl was the Top Scorer while Channel Cats' Brendon Gyapjas earned Top Goalkeeper. Los Angeles Athletic Club's Eric Carnohan was named Top Coach.
Stat Watch: 6-8 Sports is the official stat program of the National League. In addition to live scoring during the matches, 6-8 Sports provides box scores and league leaders. Stats are available at 68Scores.com.
Video Highlights: Overnght was on site this weekend in Walnut to stream all of the matches. Highlights will be available shortly!
Social Media: The hashtag #USAWPNL is the official hashtag of the National League. Whenever you are posting information on Facebook, Instagram, or X about the National League, remember to add #USAWPNL. Have your voice heard in the National League conversation!
