Stanford, UCLA Advance to NCAA Men’s Water Polo Semifinals
Top-seeded UCLA demonstrated its offensive depth with a commanding 20-3 victory against Salem University in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Championships. Freshman attacker Ryder Dodd and graduate student Makoto Kenney spearheaded the Bruins’ attack, each contributing multiple goals. Defensively, goalkeeper Garret Griggs anchored the team, effectively limiting Salem’s scoring opportunities and showcasing the Bruins’ resilience. This decisive win propels UCLA into the semifinals, where it is slated to face Stanford.
In the subsequent quarterfinal, host Stanford leveraged its home-pool advantage to secure a 16-8 win over Princeton. The Cardinal’s offense was driven by redshirt seniors Soren Jensen and Jackson Painter, both hailing from Orinda, California. Jensen, an alumnus of Campolindo High School, and Painter, from rival Miramonte High School, have transitioned from high school adversaries to collegiate teammates, a dynamic that has been instrumental in Stanford’s success this season.
The anticipated semifinal clash between UCLA and Stanford is scheduled for December 7 at 5 p.m. PT at Avery Aquatic Center. Fans can watch the game live on NCAA.com. As both teams vie for a spot in the national championship, the leadership and contributions of key players will be pivotal in navigating the competition.
For more information and updates, visit uclabruins.com and gostanford.com.