Friday, September 12
Los Angeles, Calif.
12:00 PM (PT)
UCLA
vs
UC Irvine
The Bruins host No. 8 UC Irvine in its home opener on Friday, Sept. 12 at Noon at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center.
Photo by: Eric Hurd
No. 1 UCLA Hosts Three Teams This Weekend
September 10, 2025 | Men's Water Polo
LOS ANGELES โ No. 1 UCLA (7-0, 0-0 MPSFย WEST) faces three teams this week, beginningย with No. 8 UC Irvine (6-0) in its home opener at 12:00 p.m. PT on Friday, Sept. 12 at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center. The Bruins will also host (RV) Harvard (4-3) later that day at 5:00 p.m. PT. Then the Bruins will host No. 12 Pepperdineย (3-2) at 3:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, Sept. 13.ย All of this week'sย games at UCLA will have a live stream on Overnght.com and live stats on the 6-8Sports.com (links below). You can also follow along with live scoring updates on the Bruins' official account on Twitter(X).
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Friday, Sept. 12 (Dirksย Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center - Los Angeles, Calif.)
12:00 PMย PT โ No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 8 UC Irvineย |ย LIVE STREAMย |ย LIVE STATS
5:00 PMย PT โ No. 1 UCLA vs. (RV) Harvardย |ย LIVE STREAMย |ย LIVE STATS
Saturday, Sept. 13 (Dirksย Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center - Los Angeles, Calif.)
3:00 PMย PT โ No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 12 Pepperdineย |ย LIVE STREAMย |ย LIVE STATS
SERIES HISTORY
UCLA is 83-60-1 all-time against UC Irvine. The Bruins won last year's meeting at UC Irvine, 12-9, on Sept. 13, 2024.
UCLA is 3-0 all-time against Harvard. The Bruins won the last meeting against the Crimson, 16-15, in the final game of the Aggie Roundup at UC Davis on Sept. 17, 2022.
UCLA is 87-31-1 all-time against Pepperdine. The Bruins won last year's meeting at Pepperdine, 18-12,ย on Oct. 12, 2024.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK
No. 1 UCLA went 4-0 last week at the Princeton Invitational in Princeton, N.J. The Bruins hit blackjack on back-to-back games, opening the tournament with a 21-5 win over No. 14 California Baptist University and following that up with a 21-6 win over No. 19 George Washington on Friday, Sept. 5 at DeNunzio Pool. UCLA closed the week out with a big 16-9 win over No. 4 Fordham and a 24-10 win over (RV) Bucknell on Saturday, Sept. 6.
- CBU Game Notes (Sept. 5):ย In the win over CBU (3-2), redshirt seniorย Chase Dodd, juniorย Ben Liechty, and sophomoresย Ryder Doddย andย Bode Brinkemaย paced the Bruins' offense with three goals apiece. It marked the second hat trick of the year for all four players.ย Redshirt sophomoreย Nate Tauscherย got the starting nod and played the first half, registering three saves while allowing four goals. Redshirt freshmanย Nick Tovaniย played the second half in the cage, his first collegiate appearance for the Bruins, tallying three saves and allowing one goal, a 7-on-6 play by CBU at the buzzer.ย Ryder Doddย also picked up one save after UCLA failed on a 7-on-6 shot with time left, forcing him to become the goalkeeper of record.
- GW Game Notes (Sept. 5): In the game against the Revolutionaries (2-6),ย Ryder Doddย paced the Bruins' offense with six total points (four goals and two assists). His third hat trick of the year extended his scoring streak to 32 consecutive games with at least one goal (every game he has played in college). He has now scored multiple goals in all but one of those contests. Redshirt seniorย Eli Liechtyย registered his first hat trick of the year against GW and redshirt juniorย Vinnie Merkย tied his career high with the second hat trick of his career.ย Tauscher made his fifth-consecutive start on the year, registering 12 saves and one steal while giving up one goal in the first half. Tovani came on in relief and played the entire second half, racking up four saves while surrendering five scores.
- Fordham Game Notes (Sept. 6):ย In the win over Fordham (4-1), redshirt seniorย Chase Doddย and juniorย Ben Liechtyย paced the Bruins' offense with four total points (each had one goal and three assists). Six different Bruins led the team in goal scoring as juniorย Wade Sherlock, seniorsย Gray Carson, andย Noah Rowe, and sophomoresย Peter Castillo,ย Bode Brinkema, andย Ryder Dodd, each scored two goals against the Rams.ย Redshirt sophomoreย Nate Tauscherย got the starting nod and went the distance, registering nine saves (one on a penalty in the second period) and four steals while allowing nine goals (six on power plays and one on a counter).
- Bucknell Game Notes (Sept. 6):ย In the game against the Bison (1-4), redshirt juniorย Vinnie Merkย paced the Bruins' offense with five total points (two goals and three assists). Freshmanย Jackson Harlanย (first of his collegiate career) and juniorย Ben Liechtyย (third of the season) each scored hat tricks to pace the offensive attack for the Bruins, which posted a season-high 24 goals in the win.ย Tauscher made his seventh start on the year, registering nineย saves while giving up three goals in the first half (pitched a shutout in the second quarter). Redshirt freshmanย Nick Tovaniย came on in relief and played the entire second half, picking up four saves while surrendering seven scores.
In addition to winning its first seven games, six of which wereย by double digits, UCLA has reached double-digit scorers in all seven games this season. The double-digit games include: 13 players against Navy,ย 10 vs. UC Davis,ย 11 at UC San Diego, 10 vs. California Baptist University, 11 vs. George Washington, 10 vs. Fordham, and a season-best 15 vs. Bucknellย (every player on the trip but Noah Rowe, who had two assists in the game).
LEADING FROM THE JUMP
So far in its first seven games, the Bruins have only trailed for 1:59 of game seven vs. Bucknell (started the game 0-1, then went on a 14-2 run, including an 11-0 stretch breaking open a 3-3 tie). UCLA had scored first in every game this season until the contest against the Bison.ย UCLA was tied 1-1 vs. Navy and then engineered an 8-0 run to lead 9-1 with under two minutes left in the second quarter. Tied 1-1 against UC Davis, the Bruins went on an 8-2 run to lead 9-3 at halftime. After being tied 1-1 against UC San Diego, UCLA reeled off 12 straight goals to build a 13-1 lead with 2:00 remaining in the third quarter. In the win over California Baptist University (Sept. 5), UCLA scored the first six goals, and doubled that to the first 12 goals later that day against George Washington.
UCLA PICKED TO WIN THEย MPSF
Defending NCAA Champion UCLA collected 99 points and nine first-place votes in topping the 2025 MPSF Men's Water Polo Western Division preseason coaches' poll. The Bruins return 21 players from last year, including ACWPC National Player of the Year and MPSF Player and Newcomer of the Yearย Ryder Dodd, who broke both the conference and UCLA freshman single-season scoring record in 2024 with 102 goals. Also back for UCLA are All-Americansย Chase Doddย (26 goals),ย Peter Castilloย (31 goals, 64 earned exclusions), andย Frederico Jucá Carsaladeย (25 goals, 38 assists).
ย
| Team | Points (1st Place) | 2024 Record | 2024 MPSFย Finish | 2024ย NCAA D1 Finish |
| UCLA | 99 (9) | 26-2 | 2nd | 1st |
| USC | 90 (2) | 23-6 | 1st | 2nd |
| Stanford | 82 | 22-5 | 3rd | T-3rd |
| California | 74 | 12-13 | 4th | n/a |
RETURNING ALL-AMERICANS
For the second straight year, the Bruins return four of the five All-Americans from the prior season. Sophomore attacker Ryder Dodd is back from his record-shattering season where he set the MPSF and UCLA freshman single-season scoring record with 102 goals. He was a First-Team All-American, as was his brother, redshirt senior attacker Chase Dodd (26 goals, 33 assists). Sophomore utility Peter Castillo was a Third-Team All-American a year ago (31 goals, 64 earned exclusions). The other All-American the Bruins return in 2025 is Honorable Mention selection and redshirt junior attacker, Frederico Jucá Carsalade (25 goals, 38 assists). Junior utilityย Ben Liechty, the 2024 MPSF Newcomer of the Year, also qualifies as the Bruins' fifth returning All-American as he was an Honorable Mention selection in 2023. UCLA lost the playing services of All-American, Nico Tierney (Honorable Mention, 41 goals), but added him to the Bruins' staff as an assistant coach for the 2025 season.
RETURNING ALL-MPSF PLAYERS
Last year, UCLA had a league-best and school-record-tying nine players earn 2024 Delfina All-MPSF West accolades, but only five of them return, highlighted by MPSF Player and Newcomer of the Year,ย Ryder Dodd. He also won the Peter J. Cutino Award and was named the ACWPC National Player of the Year in 2025. All five All-League performers returning were also listed in the returning All-American note above. In addition to losing Nico Tierney (Honorable Mention All-MPSF) from a year ago, the Bruins also lost the services of First-Team attacker Makoto Kenney (15 goals, 45 assists),ย Honorable Mention goalkeeperย Garret Griggsย (25 starts, 23-2 record, 173 saves, 9.12 goals against average), and Honorable Mention center-defender Aaron Voggenthaler (24 goals). The Bruins return a sixth All-MPSF contributor in junior center Marcellย Szécsi (Honorable Mention pick in 2023, 13 goals in 2024).
SUPER SENIORS
The Bruins return five seniors in 2025 that all made huge contributions a year ago. Joining redshirt senior Chase Doddย is fellow redshirt seniors attacker Trey Doten (11 goals), and center Eli Liechty (24 goals, 48 earned exclusions). UCLA also regains the services of senior utility Gray Carson (14 goals) and attacker Noah Rowe (six goals, 21 assists). Together this class has an overall record of 94-14 (.870), which includes going a combined 52-5 (.912) over the last two seasons.
MORE NOTABLE RETURNEES
Flexing its superb depth, there are six more Bruins seeking to have increased roles this season, starting with redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Nate Tauscher. Tauscher was the back-up goalie last year but came up big when his number was called. He only made three starts on the year (3-0), but two of them came at the NCAA Tournament (semifinals and finals). This group also includes junior attacker Wade Sherlock (21 goals, 35 assists), redshirt junior utility Ben Larsen (19 goals), redshirt junior attacker Vinnie Merk (three goals), redshirt sophomore defender Max Matthews (six goals, also scored the game-winning goal at the buzzer for the Gold team in a 15-14 win over the Blue squad in the 2025 preseason), and sophomore utility Bode Brinkema (16 goals, 23 assists, 22 steals).
REDSHIRTS AND FRESH FACES
Looking to make a big splash this season are five redshirt freshmen and five true freshmen that have arrived in Westwood for the 2025 campaign. The redshirt freshmen includeย attackerย Alex Heenanย (Harvard-Westlake School), goalkeeperย Joey Kentย (JSerra Catholic HS), attackerย Andrew Spencerย (Sacred Heart Prep), goalkeeperย Nick Tovaniย (San Ramon Valley HS), and center defenderย Harry Tuckerย (Perth, Australia). The five freshmen looking to make an immediate impact include goalkeeper Harper Gardner (Rio Americano HS), Jackson Harlan (Corona del Mar HS), Zac Miller (Westlake HS), Hayden O'Hare (Campolindo HS), and Santino Rossi (Newport Harbor HS).
A CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM
The UCLA Bruins captured their 13th NCAA Championship in men's water polo with an 11-8 win over USCย on Dec. 8, 2024, at Stanford's Avery Aquatic Center. The win also marked the fifth NCAA Championship for UCLA Head Coachย Adam Wrightย while in charge of the Men's Water Polo team, with all five titles coming against USC. It is Wright's ninth NCAA title overall, as he also won two as a player at UCLA (1999 and 2000), one as the head coach of the women's program (2024), and one more as an assistant coach with the women's team in 2009.ย UCLA had a total of seven players score in the contest, paced by two goals each from freshmanย Ryder Dodd, redshirt juniorย Chase Dodd, and graduate studentsย Nico Tierneyย andย Jack Larsen. Graduate studentย Makoto Kenneyย added a game-high three assists.ย Redshirt freshmanย Nate Tauscherย made just his third start of his young career, going the distance while recordingย 10 saves, three steals, and one assist while surrendering eight scores.
ALL THE WRIGHT STUFF
After guiding the Bruins to the NCAA Championship in 2024 and being named the MPSF Coach of the Year for the fourth time, Adam Wright returns for his 17th season as UCLA's head men's water polo coach in 2025 with an overall record of 377-68 (.847) and an MPSF mark of 72-25 (.742). His teams earned perfect APR (Academic Progress Rate) scores of 1,000 in 2014, 2015 and 2016 while winning the school's 112th, 113th and 114th NCAA Championships in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Wright added the fourth NCAA Championship to his resume as the men's head coach in 2020 (Mar. 21, 2021) and a fourth perfect APR score in 2021. On July 20, 2017, then-UCLA Director of Athletics, Dan Guerrero, announced that Wrightย would guide both the UCLA men's and women's water polo teams. Wright was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame on June 20, 2019, and to the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020. On March 22, 2022, UCLA Director of Athletics, Martin Jarmond, announced that Wright had signed a new six-year contract, starting in July of 2022, as the Head Coach for both of the Bruins' Men's and Women's Water Polo programs.ย
ย
RECAPPING 2024
Overall Record: 26-2 |ย Final Ranking: 1st | NCAA Finish: 1st |ย MPSFย Tournament Finish: 2nd
The UCLA Bruins made their 39th appearance in the NCAA Championship in 2024, winning the program's 13th NCAA title with a nation's best 26-2ย (.929) record. The Bruinsย also posted the best record in MPSF play with a 5-1 mark. The Bruins opened the NCAA Championship with a 22-6 win over No. 20 Salem in the First Round and then posted a 17-14 win at No. 4 Stanford in the NCAA Semifinals. Top-seeded UCLA then defeated No. 2 USC, 11-8, in the title match. UCLA placed an MPSF-high nine players on the All-MPSF teams in 2024, including Ryder Dodd becoming the first player in league history to be named the Player and Newcomer of the Year in the same season. Additionally, Adam Wright was named MPSF Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career (2011, 2017, 2023, 2024).
Other Notes:
- UCLA represented as Team USA at the 2025 FISU World University Games and captured a silver medal. Ryder Dodd, Bode Brinkema, Ben Liechty, and Peter Castillo were on the U20 World Championship roster for Team USA that won a silver medal at the World Aquatics U20 World Championships, the highest finish ever for a USA Men's National Team in World Championship play at any age group with Dodd being named the Best Player.
- USAWP National League Champion
- Undefeated 13-0 season against a dozen teams consisting of multiple Olympic-level athletes.
- Pacific Cup Champion
- Undefeated in three games with eight-goal average margin of victory.
- Five Players in U20 World Championship
- Bode Brinkema, Peter Castillo, Ben Liechty and Ryder Dodd combined for over 50% of Team USA's goals (53/104) in its highest finish ever earning silver. Ryder Dodd was named tournament MVP.
- Harry Tucker finished fourth in scoring with 10 goals forย Australia.
- World University Games
- UCLA (minus Ryder Dodd, Chasee Dodd, Ben Liechty, Harry Tucker, and Frederico Jucá Carsalade),ย represented as Team USA and earned a silver medal (tied for its highest finish since 1985).
- Three Active Players on World Aquatics Championship Roster
- Ben Liechty, Chase Dodd and Ryder Dodd made up 20% of the Team USA roster that finished eighth.
UCLA remains steady atย No.ย 1ย in theย CWPAย National Men's Varsity Top 20 Poll (100 points), released on Sept. 10.
ย
| 2025 Men's Varsity Top 20 (Week 2/September 3) | |||
| ย Rank | ย Team | ย Week 1 Poll | ย Points |
| ย 1 | ย UCLA | ย 1 | ย 100 |
| ย 2 | ย USC | ย 2 | ย 95 |
| ย 3 | ย California | ย 3 | ย 90 |
| ย 4 | ย Stanford | ย 4 (T) | ย 85 |
| ย 5 | ย Fordham | ย 4 (T) | ย 79 |
| ย 6 | ย San Jose State | ย 6 | ย 77 |
| ย 7 | ย Long Beach State | ย 7 (T) | ย 67 |
| ย 8 | ย UC Irvine | ย 7 (T) | ย 65 |
| ย 9 | ย Pacific | ย 10 (T) | ย 59 |
| ย 10 | ย Princeton | ย 9 | ย 58 |
| ย 11 | ย UC Davis | ย 10 (T) | ย 51 |
| ย 12 | ย Pepperdine | ย 12 | ย 43 |
| ย 13 | ย UC San Diego | ย 13 | ย 37 |
| ย 14 (T) | ย LMU | ย 15 | ย 31 |
| ย 14 (T) | ย California Baptist University | ย 14 | ย 31 |
| ย 16 | ย Santa Clara | ย RV | ย 27 |
| ย 17 | ย Navy | ย 19 (T) | ย 17 |
| ย 18 | ย Brown | ย 16 (T) | ย 16 |
| ย 19 (T) | ย UC Santa Barbara | ย 18 | ย 10 |
| ย 19 (T) | ย George Washington | ย 19 (T) | ย 10 |
| ย RV | ย Harvard | ย 16 (T) | ย 3 |
| ย RV | ย Air Force | ย RV | ย 2 |
| ย RV | ย Bucknell | ย RV | ย 1 |
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/ Men's Water PoloUCLA Men's Water Polo Ring Reveal
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Highlights - UCLA M. Water Polo Celebrates NCAA Title
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Sunday, December 08