UC San Diego Men’s Club Water Polo claimed the 2nd place national title this weekend in Huntsville Alabama!!

Easily winning the first three matches they unfortunately lost in a back and forth game in the finals. This in no way defines their season as the program continues to grow stronger all around.

Three years ago, they won their first ever regional conference, bringing them to the national stage. A year after that they went on to claim 3rd in Nationals. This year, fighting hard, they claimed 2nd. This upset has only provided much determination for next season. Through every conference they continue to show their strength as a team and are coming for that national title next year.

First Round:

In the opening round of the 2021 Men’s National Collegiate Club Championship at the Huntsville Aquatics Center, UC San Diego halted the Northwest Division Champion Oregon State University, 20-5. A grand total of 12 players on the team all were able to reach the back of the net with ease, creating a welcoming start to the tournament. This victory advanced the team immediately to the quarter finals.

Quarter-Finals:

William French (Junior) scored four times to earn Player of the Game recognition and lead 14 athletes from Pacific Coast Division Champion UC San Diego in scoring as the Tritons topped Mid-Atlantic Division Champion the University of Pennsylvania, 18-5, in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Men’s National Collegiate Club Championship. The Tritons fiercely punched their ticket to the National Collegiate Club Championship semifinals.

Semi-Finals:

UC San Diego took on seven time division III champion, Washington University in St. Louis in the Semi-Finals. Despite this team’s history in division III, nine different UC San Diego athletes scored as the Pacific Coast Division Champion Tritons picked up a 16-5 victory to earn a spot in the 2021 Men’s National Collegiate Club Championship title game at the Huntsville Aquatics Center.

Finals:

This was UC San Diego’s first ever appearance in the championship match for the CWPA National Title. After losing to Lindenwood the season prior in the semi-finals, they were determined to take home the title this year. Across the tank, Graham McClone (Senior) notched four goals with Max Black (Sophomore) and Jordie Rivera (Senior) both finding the back of the cage twice. Arthur Sefayan (First-year transfer), Jack Harper (Senior) and Andrew Shade (Senior) each chipped in single scores. After a truly back and forth game between UC San Diego and Michigan State University, the Tritons ultimately lost by one goal with a final score of 11-12. Although a heartbreaking loss, UCSD claimed the 2nd place national title!