Saturday, September 16
Los Angeles, Calif.
1:00 PM
USC
vs
UC Santa Barbara
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Photo by: Katie Chin
No. 3 USC Men's Water Polo Sets Up For Saturday Doubleheader at Uytengsu
September 13, 2023 | Men's Water Polo
Trojans square off against UC Santa Barbara and Golden West to start a seven-game stretch of home action.
#3 USC (5-1) vs. #11 UC Santa Barbara
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 1 p.m. | Uytengsu Aquatics Center
Series Record: USC leads 77-13-2 (W3)
Last Meeting: USC 10, UCSB 6 (Sept. 30, 2022)
STREAM | STATS
#3 USC vs. Golden West (exhibition game)
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 2:30 p.m. | Uytengsu Aquatics Center
Last Meeting: USC 13, GW 9 (Sept. 8, 202)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
No. 3 USC splashes back down at Uytengsu Aquatics Center to kick off a stretch of seven straight games in home waters. This weekend, the Trojans have a doubleheader on tap for Saturday (Sept. 16), hosting No. 11 UC Santa Barbara at 1 p.m. before an exhibition clash against Golden West at 2:30 p.m.
RANKINGS
USC started the 2023 season ranked No. 2 in the national preseason poll and tied at No. 2 in the preseason MPSF Coaches Poll. Currently 5-1 overall, USC ranks No. 3 in the nation as of the latest set of national rankings (released Sept. 13).
LAST ACTION
USC came up with a split last week, falling in its MPSF and home opener with a 12-5 loss to No. 1 Cal in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA final. The next day, USC went on the road and came back to beat No. 8 UC Irvine 12-10 in a nonconference victory to improve to 5-1 overall on the year.
#1 CAL 12, #2 USC 5
USC came up against a sharp-shooting Cal team, as the defending NCAA champions built a strong first-half lead on the Trojans to had USC its first loss of the year. Two early power plays helped Cal knock out a 2-0 lead before USC broke ground on the offensive end with a fake-and-fire from Reed Stemler. An even strike sent the Bears back up by two, and then Cal converted on a 6-on-4 opportunity to go ahead 4-1 by the close of the first. In the third, the Trojans found two fiery goals from Massimo Di Martire and Luka Brnetic, although those back-to-back USC blasts were bookended by Cal scoring attacks. The Bears rattled in three straight goals to end then half ahead 9-3. In a more defensive third period, USC struck first on a searing 6-on-5 shot from Di Martire. Cal answered a minute later to make it a 10-4 margin, and neither team would break through in the last 5:30 of the frame. Both defenses would shut down opposing power plays in that stretch. At 7:10 in the fourth, Brnetic found freshman Zach Bettino for a ripping nearside skipper that made it 10-5, only to see Cal knock in two more goals and keep the Trojans ay bay the rest of the way to finish off the 12-5 final.
#2 USC 12, #8 UCI 10
USC had trailed by two early on opening 6-on-5 finishes by host UC Irvine, but in the final two minutes of the first period, USC got a slick slider from Evan Ausmus and Max Miller's first of three goals with a 6-on-5 slam at the post to knot it at 3-3. In the second, with redshirt freshman goalie Bernardo Herzer making some key saves along with big defensive stops from Carson Kranz and Ausmus, USC silenced the Anteaters while Miller hammered home two more goals to give himself a first-half hat trick and tugging the Trojans ahead 5-3 for halftime. In the third, though, UC Irvine got back in an offensive groove. The Anteaters found five goals, including the last three of the third to answer back-to-back USC goals from Jake Carter .Carter's onslaught had USC ahead 8-5 midway through the third before UC Irvine pulled even at 8-8 going into the fourth. There, teams would trade early 6-on-5 goals for a 9-9 draw, prompting the Trojans to find a new gear. Freshman Zach Bettino lit the fuse with a sizzling cross cage strike for a go-ahead Trojan goal, and Herzer squashed an Anteater power play next. With 3:30 to go, Ausmus nabbed a steal and countered on a solo mission, finishing if for an 11-9 lead. USC had the deal all but sealed when Tom McGuire crossed to Joshua Waldoch for a ripper that got USC ahead 12-9 with 2:04 to go. UCI broke through out of set on its next possession, but USC fended off its host the rest of the way to bag the 12-10 road win.
BY THE NUMBERS
Massimo Di Martire and Max Miller are currently spearheading USC's scoring charge with 13 and 12 goals, respectively. Di Martire has scored in all six USC games to date. The Trojans' assists leader is senior Tom McGuire with 14, while Di Martire tops the steals board with 10. Miller and fellow two-meter man Tony Nardelli have combined for 32 drawn exclusions, with Nardelli leading the count with 17 through six games of work. On the defensive end, three goalies have seen time in the cage, with redshirt sophomore Eric Hubner and redshirt sophomore Bernardo Herzer capping up in three games apiece. In their respective USC debuts, Herzer (12 saves vs. Pomona-Pitzer) and freshman Charles Mills (13 saves vs. Biola) set career highs. All told, USC's goalkeeping corps is averaging 9.8 saves per game. As a team, USC has outscored its opponents 84-47 for an average of 14.0 goals per game offensively and 7.8 goals-against per game defensively. The USC defense has held opponents scoreless in eight periods of play.
BACK FOR MORE
USC returns over half of its 2022 NCAA roster, including All-American and MPSF Newcomer of the Year Massimo Di Martire, who led the Trojans in scoring with 63 goals in the 2022 season — seven of those goals scored in the NCAA Tournament. Senior captain Carson Kranz and junior Luka Brnetic also return as All-MPSF honorees, with Kranz and Max Miller tabbed as team captains for 2023. Brnetic and Reed Stemler are seasoned hole guards ready to shut down any moves at two-meters. In front of the cage as well will be senior captain Miller and Tony Nardelli, each bringing valuable experience in their fourth years as centers. Newcomer Connor Cohen and sophomore Zac Crenshaw also add size and power to that spot for the Trojans. Back in the water for his sophomore season, Andrej Grgurevic spent his summer playing with the Australian Junior National Team. Grgurevic scored 21 goals as a true freshman last season.
STRIKE FORCE
With the graduation of some powerful left-handed shooters, sophomore Jack Vort, freshman Zach Bettino and redshirt freshman Charlie Saunders are ready to step up on the 4-6 side, joined by righties Di Martire and Jake Carter, who are proven sharpshooters on that side of the pool. Working on the 1-2 side is a group of guys making an impact with their utility and speed on both sides of the pool in returners Evan Ausmus, Tom McGuire, Joshua Waldoch and Aidan Wattson.
CAGE FIGHTERS
The Trojans' goalie squad is ripe with skill and size, with 6-foot-7 Eric Hubner bringing upperclassman experience and 6-6 Bernardo Herzer coming off a redshirt year. Incoming freshman goalies Charles Mills and Cooper Mathisrud further bolster USC in the cage as the group competes for playing time as the backbone of the Trojan defense.
NEW CREW
The balance of the 2023 USC squad is rounded out by new additions to the roster. Stanford transfer Jack Martin and Serbian newcomer Stefan Brankovic are raising the level of competition in practice for the younger additions of Spencer Averitt, Chase Landa, Luke Nelson and Will Sanchez. Each player on the roster has an opportunity to make an impact on the way to NCAAs.
PINTA'S PROGRAM
Marko Pintaric, who has been part of 14 NCAA championships during his 21 years on the USC coaching staff, is in his fifth year at the helm of the Trojan men's program. Last season, he guided the Trojans to an 18th consecutive NCAA appearance, reaching the NCAA final for the 17th time in that span. An All-American and 1998 NCAA champion as a player at USC, Pintaric served as co-head coach for the USC men for three seasons (2016-18), most recently helping the Trojans to the 2018 NCAA Championship. His USC coaching career began as an assistant coach to both the USC men and women in 2001. Pintaric stayed in a dual coaching role until NCAA rules for coaching staff sizes changed in 2015-16, prompting a move to a scouting director role with the women while his assistant coaching role continued with the men for the next four years.
LAST SEASON
USC's 2022 campaign saw the Trojans win the MPSF Tournament championship in order to clinch an 18th straight trip to the NCAA tourney. USC finished up undefeated at home and posted a 20-7 overall record after a run to the NCAA title match, where USC fell in a one-goal loss to host Cal. At season's end, USC had four players earn ACWPC All-America honors in First Team picks Jake Ehrhardt, Massimo Di Martire and Ashworth Molthen along with second-team selection Kyle McKenney. Ehrhardt also was picked as a finalist for the 2022 Peter J. Cutino Award. •
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 1 p.m. | Uytengsu Aquatics Center
Series Record: USC leads 77-13-2 (W3)
Last Meeting: USC 10, UCSB 6 (Sept. 30, 2022)
STREAM | STATS
#3 USC vs. Golden West (exhibition game)
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 2:30 p.m. | Uytengsu Aquatics Center
Last Meeting: USC 13, GW 9 (Sept. 8, 202)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
No. 3 USC splashes back down at Uytengsu Aquatics Center to kick off a stretch of seven straight games in home waters. This weekend, the Trojans have a doubleheader on tap for Saturday (Sept. 16), hosting No. 11 UC Santa Barbara at 1 p.m. before an exhibition clash against Golden West at 2:30 p.m.
RANKINGS
USC started the 2023 season ranked No. 2 in the national preseason poll and tied at No. 2 in the preseason MPSF Coaches Poll. Currently 5-1 overall, USC ranks No. 3 in the nation as of the latest set of national rankings (released Sept. 13).
LAST ACTION
USC came up with a split last week, falling in its MPSF and home opener with a 12-5 loss to No. 1 Cal in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA final. The next day, USC went on the road and came back to beat No. 8 UC Irvine 12-10 in a nonconference victory to improve to 5-1 overall on the year.
#1 CAL 12, #2 USC 5
USC came up against a sharp-shooting Cal team, as the defending NCAA champions built a strong first-half lead on the Trojans to had USC its first loss of the year. Two early power plays helped Cal knock out a 2-0 lead before USC broke ground on the offensive end with a fake-and-fire from Reed Stemler. An even strike sent the Bears back up by two, and then Cal converted on a 6-on-4 opportunity to go ahead 4-1 by the close of the first. In the third, the Trojans found two fiery goals from Massimo Di Martire and Luka Brnetic, although those back-to-back USC blasts were bookended by Cal scoring attacks. The Bears rattled in three straight goals to end then half ahead 9-3. In a more defensive third period, USC struck first on a searing 6-on-5 shot from Di Martire. Cal answered a minute later to make it a 10-4 margin, and neither team would break through in the last 5:30 of the frame. Both defenses would shut down opposing power plays in that stretch. At 7:10 in the fourth, Brnetic found freshman Zach Bettino for a ripping nearside skipper that made it 10-5, only to see Cal knock in two more goals and keep the Trojans ay bay the rest of the way to finish off the 12-5 final.
#2 USC 12, #8 UCI 10
USC had trailed by two early on opening 6-on-5 finishes by host UC Irvine, but in the final two minutes of the first period, USC got a slick slider from Evan Ausmus and Max Miller's first of three goals with a 6-on-5 slam at the post to knot it at 3-3. In the second, with redshirt freshman goalie Bernardo Herzer making some key saves along with big defensive stops from Carson Kranz and Ausmus, USC silenced the Anteaters while Miller hammered home two more goals to give himself a first-half hat trick and tugging the Trojans ahead 5-3 for halftime. In the third, though, UC Irvine got back in an offensive groove. The Anteaters found five goals, including the last three of the third to answer back-to-back USC goals from Jake Carter .Carter's onslaught had USC ahead 8-5 midway through the third before UC Irvine pulled even at 8-8 going into the fourth. There, teams would trade early 6-on-5 goals for a 9-9 draw, prompting the Trojans to find a new gear. Freshman Zach Bettino lit the fuse with a sizzling cross cage strike for a go-ahead Trojan goal, and Herzer squashed an Anteater power play next. With 3:30 to go, Ausmus nabbed a steal and countered on a solo mission, finishing if for an 11-9 lead. USC had the deal all but sealed when Tom McGuire crossed to Joshua Waldoch for a ripper that got USC ahead 12-9 with 2:04 to go. UCI broke through out of set on its next possession, but USC fended off its host the rest of the way to bag the 12-10 road win.
BY THE NUMBERS
Massimo Di Martire and Max Miller are currently spearheading USC's scoring charge with 13 and 12 goals, respectively. Di Martire has scored in all six USC games to date. The Trojans' assists leader is senior Tom McGuire with 14, while Di Martire tops the steals board with 10. Miller and fellow two-meter man Tony Nardelli have combined for 32 drawn exclusions, with Nardelli leading the count with 17 through six games of work. On the defensive end, three goalies have seen time in the cage, with redshirt sophomore Eric Hubner and redshirt sophomore Bernardo Herzer capping up in three games apiece. In their respective USC debuts, Herzer (12 saves vs. Pomona-Pitzer) and freshman Charles Mills (13 saves vs. Biola) set career highs. All told, USC's goalkeeping corps is averaging 9.8 saves per game. As a team, USC has outscored its opponents 84-47 for an average of 14.0 goals per game offensively and 7.8 goals-against per game defensively. The USC defense has held opponents scoreless in eight periods of play.
BACK FOR MORE
USC returns over half of its 2022 NCAA roster, including All-American and MPSF Newcomer of the Year Massimo Di Martire, who led the Trojans in scoring with 63 goals in the 2022 season — seven of those goals scored in the NCAA Tournament. Senior captain Carson Kranz and junior Luka Brnetic also return as All-MPSF honorees, with Kranz and Max Miller tabbed as team captains for 2023. Brnetic and Reed Stemler are seasoned hole guards ready to shut down any moves at two-meters. In front of the cage as well will be senior captain Miller and Tony Nardelli, each bringing valuable experience in their fourth years as centers. Newcomer Connor Cohen and sophomore Zac Crenshaw also add size and power to that spot for the Trojans. Back in the water for his sophomore season, Andrej Grgurevic spent his summer playing with the Australian Junior National Team. Grgurevic scored 21 goals as a true freshman last season.
STRIKE FORCE
With the graduation of some powerful left-handed shooters, sophomore Jack Vort, freshman Zach Bettino and redshirt freshman Charlie Saunders are ready to step up on the 4-6 side, joined by righties Di Martire and Jake Carter, who are proven sharpshooters on that side of the pool. Working on the 1-2 side is a group of guys making an impact with their utility and speed on both sides of the pool in returners Evan Ausmus, Tom McGuire, Joshua Waldoch and Aidan Wattson.
CAGE FIGHTERS
The Trojans' goalie squad is ripe with skill and size, with 6-foot-7 Eric Hubner bringing upperclassman experience and 6-6 Bernardo Herzer coming off a redshirt year. Incoming freshman goalies Charles Mills and Cooper Mathisrud further bolster USC in the cage as the group competes for playing time as the backbone of the Trojan defense.
NEW CREW
The balance of the 2023 USC squad is rounded out by new additions to the roster. Stanford transfer Jack Martin and Serbian newcomer Stefan Brankovic are raising the level of competition in practice for the younger additions of Spencer Averitt, Chase Landa, Luke Nelson and Will Sanchez. Each player on the roster has an opportunity to make an impact on the way to NCAAs.
PINTA'S PROGRAM
Marko Pintaric, who has been part of 14 NCAA championships during his 21 years on the USC coaching staff, is in his fifth year at the helm of the Trojan men's program. Last season, he guided the Trojans to an 18th consecutive NCAA appearance, reaching the NCAA final for the 17th time in that span. An All-American and 1998 NCAA champion as a player at USC, Pintaric served as co-head coach for the USC men for three seasons (2016-18), most recently helping the Trojans to the 2018 NCAA Championship. His USC coaching career began as an assistant coach to both the USC men and women in 2001. Pintaric stayed in a dual coaching role until NCAA rules for coaching staff sizes changed in 2015-16, prompting a move to a scouting director role with the women while his assistant coaching role continued with the men for the next four years.
LAST SEASON
USC's 2022 campaign saw the Trojans win the MPSF Tournament championship in order to clinch an 18th straight trip to the NCAA tourney. USC finished up undefeated at home and posted a 20-7 overall record after a run to the NCAA title match, where USC fell in a one-goal loss to host Cal. At season's end, USC had four players earn ACWPC All-America honors in First Team picks Jake Ehrhardt, Massimo Di Martire and Ashworth Molthen along with second-team selection Kyle McKenney. Ehrhardt also was picked as a finalist for the 2022 Peter J. Cutino Award. •
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Saturday, November 18
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