UCLA
USC
Top-Ranked UCLA Men's Water Polo Sinks USC 7-5
November 12, 1999 | Men's Water Polo
Nov. 12, 1999
WESTWOOD, Calif. - In what could be considered the biggest game of the season so far, the top-ranked UCLA men's water polo team defeated cross-town rival and third-ranked USC 7-5 in front of a standing room only crowd of 1,066 in the Bruins' last regular season home game Friday afternoon.
With the victory, UCLA concludes its conference schedule with an undefeated 8-0 record and secures the number one seed going into the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference tournament. The Bruins have won eight straight games and improve their overall record to 17-2. The Trojans' record falls to 18-4 overall and 5-2 in MPSF action.
The Bruins posted a 2-0 lead late in the first quarter on goals by juniors Brian Brown and Adam Wright. Trojan senior Peter Janov answered with two goals of his own, one with 11 seconds left in the opening frame and another to begin the second quarter, to knot the match at two.
Junior Andy Bailey broke the tie, with an assist from junior Blake Wellen until USC sophomore Ivan Babic netted a point to keep in stride with the Bruins. Senior Matt Armato, playing in the final home game of his UCLA career, then scored the eventual game-winner with 56 seconds remaining in the half.
Armato added a security goal at the 5:11 mark in the third quarter to put the Bruins up 5-3. Following a goal by junior George Csaszar, Brown was called for a penalty with 42 seconds left in the third quarter, giving the Trojans a chance to tie with a penalty shot. But Bruin true freshman goalkeeper Brandon Brooks made an outstanding save on a hard shot by sophomore Jordan Hewko to keep the Trojans at bay and preserve UCLA's lead for the remaining of the game.
Wright and junior Sean Kern added goals in the fourth quarter while senior James Castle scored the final goal for the Trojans. USC goalkeeper senior Richard McEvoy tallied seven saves and Brooks finished the game with six saves.
These two teams will close out the regular season next Saturday for a non-conference game at USC's McDonald's Swim Stadium. The game is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., prior to the 12:30 p.m. football game at the L.A. Coliseum.
USC 1 2 1 1= 5
UCLA 2 2 1 2= 7
USC: Peter Janov 2, Ivan Babic, James Castle, George Csaszar.
UCLA: Matt Armato 2, Adam Wright 2, Andy Bailey, Brian Brown, Sean Kern.
Saves: UCLA-Brandon Brooks 6, USC - Richard McEvoy 7.
