UCLA WATER POLO UCLA WATER POLO
STANFORD, Calif. -- No. 1 UCLA (23-1, 5-1 MPSF West) put on an offensive display that hadn't been seen in 54 years, blasting [8] Penn State Behrend, 36-4, in the first round of the 2025 MPSF Championship Tournament at Avery Aquatic Center on Friday afternoon. The 36 goals were the third-most in program history and the most since a 37-2 win over Washington in 1971. The Bruins improved to 4-0 in the series history against the Lions (8-18, 6-4 MPSF East).
UCLA had 14 different players score (out of 15 that played), paced by a game- and career-high six goals from freshman Jackson Harlan. Redshirt senior Eli Liechty recorded a career-high five goals against the Lions. Redshirt senior Trey Doten (career-high) and sophomore Bode Brinkema (career-high-tying) each scored four goals today. Three more Bruins had hat tricks, which included sophomore Ryder Dodd (added four assists for seven points), junior Wade Sherlock (added a career-high six assists) and junior Marcell Szécsi (one assist).
But it was junior Ben Liechty that actually led the Bruins' high octane offense with 10 total points (career-high eight assists and two goals).
Redshirt sophomore Nate Tauscher got the starting nod and played the first quarter, tallying six saves, two assists, and one steal while allowing two goals. Redshirt freshman Nick Tovani played the final three quarters and registered a career-high 10 saves to go with two assists and a steal while giving up just two goals.
The Bruins scored a season-high 10 goals in a quarter, twice against the Lions, including the first quarter. UCLA scored the first seven goals of the game and led 10-2 after the opening period. UCLA pitched a shutout in Tovani's first action, winning the second period 8-0 to take an 18-2 lead into the break. The Bruins won the third quarter, 8-1, to build a 26-3 lead heading into the final stanza. UCLA won the fourth period, 10-1, to provide the 36-4 final.
Up Next: The Bruins will take on [4] California in the semifinals of the 2025 MPSF Championship Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1:00 p.m. PT at Avery Aquatic Center.
[8] Penn State Behrend vs. [1] UCLA (MPSF Championship Tournament - First Round - Game 24)
6x5 - UCLA - 5/5 PSB - 0/2
Penalties - UCLA - 1/1 - PSB - 0/0
PSF Goals: Owen Kroh 1, Jack Johnson 1, Rylan McDowell 1, Nick Thompson 1
PSF Saves: Ethan Friedman 3, Andy Zhuri 1
UCLA Goals: Jackson Harlan 6, Eli Liechty 5, Bode Brinkema 4, Trey Doten 4, Marcell Szécsi 3, Wade Sherlock 3, Ryder Dodd 3, Ben Liechty 2, Ben Larsen 1, Peter Castillo 1, Gray Carson 1, Noah Rowe 1, Chase Dodd 1, Vinnie Merk 1
UCLA Saves: Nick Tovani 10, Nate Tauscher 6
STANFORD, Calif. -- No. 1 UCLA (23-1, 5-1 MPSF West) put on an offensive display that hadn't been seen in 54 years, blasting [8] Penn State Behrend, 36-4, in the first round of the 2025 MPSF Championship Tournament at Avery Aquatic Center on Friday afternoon. The 36 goals were the third-most in program history and the most since a 37-2 win over Washington in 1971. The Bruins improved to 4-0 in the series history against the Lions (8-18, 6-4 MPSF East).
UCLA had 14 different players score (out of 15 that played), paced by a game- and career-high six goals from freshman Jackson Harlan. Redshirt senior Eli Liechty recorded a career-high five goals against the Lions. Redshirt senior Trey Doten (career-high) and sophomore Bode Brinkema (career-high-tying) each scored four goals today. Three more Bruins had hat tricks, which included sophomore Ryder Dodd (added four assists for seven points), junior Wade Sherlock (added a career-high six assists) and junior Marcell Szécsi (one assist).
But it was junior Ben Liechty that actually led the Bruins' high octane offense with 10 total points (career-high eight assists and two goals).
Redshirt sophomore Nate Tauscher got the starting nod and played the first quarter, tallying six saves, two assists, and one steal while allowing two goals. Redshirt freshman Nick Tovani played the final three quarters and registered a career-high 10 saves to go with two assists and a steal while giving up just two goals.
The Bruins scored a season-high 10 goals in a quarter, twice against the Lions, including the first quarter. UCLA scored the first seven goals of the game and led 10-2 after the opening period. UCLA pitched a shutout in Tovani's first action, winning the second period 8-0 to take an 18-2 lead into the break. The Bruins won the third quarter, 8-1, to build a 26-3 lead heading into the final stanza. UCLA won the fourth period, 10-1, to provide the 36-4 final.
Up Next: The Bruins will take on [4] California in the semifinals of the 2025 MPSF Championship Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1:00 p.m. PT at Avery Aquatic Center.
[8] Penn State Behrend vs. [1] UCLA (MPSF Championship Tournament - First Round - Game 24)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| [8] Penn State Behrend | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| [1] UCLA | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 36 |
6x5 - UCLA - 5/5 PSB - 0/2
Penalties - UCLA - 1/1 - PSB - 0/0
PSF Goals: Owen Kroh 1, Jack Johnson 1, Rylan McDowell 1, Nick Thompson 1
PSF Saves: Ethan Friedman 3, Andy Zhuri 1
UCLA Goals: Jackson Harlan 6, Eli Liechty 5, Bode Brinkema 4, Trey Doten 4, Marcell Szécsi 3, Wade Sherlock 3, Ryder Dodd 3, Ben Liechty 2, Ben Larsen 1, Peter Castillo 1, Gray Carson 1, Noah Rowe 1, Chase Dodd 1, Vinnie Merk 1
UCLA Saves: Nick Tovani 10, Nate Tauscher 6