USC
UCLA
Men's Water Polo Falls To UCLA, 7-5
November 12, 1999 | Men's Water Polo
Nov. 12, 1999
WESTWOOD, Calif. - In the biggest Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game of the season, the No. 3 USC men's water polo team fell just short, falling at No. 1 UCLA, 7-5, on Friday afternoon.
With the victory, the Bruins (17-2, 8-0) capped off a perfect MPSF season. The Trojans (18-4, 5-2) could have forced a three-way tie for the title, but will instead settle for third place.
USC has its final conference match on Sunday (Nov. 14) against Long Beach State at the McDonald's Swim Stadium at noon.
The Trojans never led and trailed 2-0 before a pair of goals by senior 2-meter man Peter Janov tied the game. The Bruins took another two-goal lead at 5-3 early in the third quarter.
USC seemed to regain the momentum when junior driver George Csaszar scored a man-up situation to make it 5-4, and then USC drew a four-meter penalty shot late in the third quarter. But UCLA goalie Brandon Brooks blocked the shot, and the Bruins scored twice early in the fourth quarter to go up 7-4.
The Trojans went scoreless until 27 seconds left in the match, when senior 2-meter man James Castle put one in.
USC 1-2-1-1----5
UCLA 2-2-1-2---7
USC goals: Peter Janov 2, Ivan Babic 1, James Castle 1, George Csaszar 1.
UCLA goals: Matt Armato 2, Adam Wright 2, Andy Bailey 1, Brian Brown 1, Sean Kern 1.
Saves: Richard McEvoy (USC) 8, Brandon Brooks (UCLA) 6.
