
No. 1 UCLA Crushes No. 2 California, 14-7
October 04, 2025 | Men's Water Polo
BERKELEY, Calif. --ย No. 1 UCLA (16-0, 1-0 MPSF West) opened up league play with dismantling of No. 2 California (11-2, 0-1), 14-7, on the road on Saturday at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Bruins extended their winning streak to 19 straight games (dating back to last year's NCAA Championship run). UCLA also improved to 99-77-1 all-time against the Golden Bears.
The Bruins' offense was led by a game-high four goals and six total points (two assists) from sophomore Ryder Dodd. Two other Bruins scored multiple goals against Cal, which included two scores each from redshirt senior Eli Liechty and redshirt junior Frederico Jucá Carsalade. Sophomore Bode Brinkema finished second in scoring with four points (three assists and one goal).
Redshirt sophomore Nate Tauscher got the starting nod and played all but the final 2:14 of the game, tallying a season-high-tying 12 saves (one on a penalty shot) and two steals while allowing six goals.ย Redshirt freshman Nick Tovani came on in relief and tallied one stop while allowing one score.
Unlike the last meeting between the two teams two weeks ago in the title game of the Overnght MPSF Invitational (won by UCLA 11-9), the Bruins never trailed and won the first period, 3-1. UCLA won the second period, 3-2, to take a 6-3 lead into the break. The Bruins dominated the third period, winning it 5-2, to build an 11-5 lead heading into the final stanza. UCLA would win the fourth period, 3-2, to provide the 14-7 final.
Up Next: The Bruins head to No. 4 Stanford (8-3, 0-1)ย for another big MPSF showdown on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 1:00 p.m. PT at Avery Aquatic Center. The Cardinal fell to No. 3 USC today, 14-10,ย in both teams' MPSF opener.
No. 1 UCLA at No. 2 California (Spiekerย Aquatics Complex - MPSF Opener - Game 16)
SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
No. 1 UCLA | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 14 |
No. 2 California | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
6x5 -ย UCLA - 5/10 - CAL - 3/6
Penalties -ย UCLA - 2/2 - CAL- 0/1
UCLA Goals:ย Ryder Dodd 4, Frederico Jucá Carsaladeย 2, Eli Liechty 2, Marcell Szécsi 1, Wade Sherlock 1, Ben Larsen 1, Max Matthews 1, Noah Rowe 1, Bode Brinkema 1
UCLA Saves:ย Nate Tauscher 12, Nick Tovani 1
CAL Goals:ย Marci Szatmary 2, Maddox Arlett 1, Chase Wilson 1, Dom Brown 1, ย William Kelly 1, Seth Bousfield 1
CAL Saves:ย Aran Pina 2, Riley Clansen 1
ย
Team Stats
Noah Rowe
05:44
Dom Brown-
05:32
Bode Brinkema
04:19
Eli Liechty
02:47
Seth Bousfield*
06:27
Wade Sherlock
04:08
Marci Szatmary
02:14
Ben Larsen
01:44
Ryder Dodd
01:02
Ryder Dodd
07:01
Chase Wilson
04:16
Frederico Juca Carsalade
03:51
Marci Szatmary
03:33
Ryder Dodd
03:11
Max Matthews
02:31
Marcell Szecsi
01:49
Eli Liechty
06:41
Maddox Arlett
06:16
Ryder Dodd
03:10
Frederico Juca Carsalade
02:41
William Kelly
01:39