UCLA
Stanford
Bruins Capture National Championship
December 05, 1999 | Men's Water Polo
The Bruins, who end the season with a 22-3 overall record, have now won three national titles in the last five years under coach Guy Baker, and six championships overall in 23 appearances. Stanford closes out the year with a 22-6 overall record.
UCLA battled back from a 4-1 deficit to score five unanswered points and hold on for the victory. Kern, the NCAA tournament's most valuable player, scored his third goal to knot the score at 4-4 with 2:03 left in the third quarter. Senior Matt Armato, playing in the final game of his career, then scored the eventual game-winner with one second remaining in the third, giving UCLA its first lead of the game.
Kern cushioned the Bruin lead with his fourth goal of the game early in the fourth quarter. Stanford narrowed the score with a goal from sophomore Pasi Dutton to cut the gap to 6-5. With six seconds remaining in regulation, the Cardinal threatened with a two-point shot attempt from senior Brian Heifferon but true freshman goalkeeper Brandon Brooks made the save.
Armato was named to the all-tournament first-team, while Brooks and junior Blake Wellen earned second-team honors.
"All national championships are special," co-head coach Guy Baker said. "But the journey with this group has been fantastic."
Prior to today's game, UCLA and Stanford had only met once in an NCAA championship game. In 1976, the Cardinal captured the crown with a 13-12 victory over the Bruins. Today's victory was the Bruins' fourth straight win over Stanford, as UCLA also defeated their Bay Area rival to capture the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title last weekend.
UCLA athletic teams have now captured a total of 79 NCAA titles, topping all collegiate athletic programs in the nation.
In the third place game played prior to the championship, Masschusetts scored seven points in the final quarter to defeat host UC San Diego 12-9.
NCAA Championship Game
#2 Stanford 3 1 0 1= 5
#1 UCLA 1 1 3 1= 6
Stanford: Peter Hudnut 2 (two-pointer), Andy Walburger, Jeff Nesmith, Pasi Dutton. UCLA: Sean Kern 4, Adam Wright, Matt Armato.Saves: Stanford - Nick Ellis 5, UCLA - Brandon Brooks 8.
