Trojan seniors see their USC careers come full circle
More than three years ago, the newest USC men’s water polo team members began their careers with a 10-4 victory over UC Irvine at McDonald’s Swim Stadium.
The talented freshman class had high aspirations, but it’s unlikely they could have even expected the unrivaled success the Trojans have had these past few years.
Fond memories · Senior driver Matt Sagehorn scored his first goal for the USC men’s water polo team as a freshman against UC Irvine in 2006. - Katelynn Whitaker | Daily Trojan
Four seasons, two MPSF titles, a national championship and 83 regular-season wins later, that very same group will be honored as the Trojans close out their regular season against none other than No. 7 UC Irvine at McDonald’s Swim Stadium on Saturday.
The Trojans (21-1, 7-0) will welcome the Anteaters (15-10, 3-4) to McDonald’s for the first time this season, although the two met earlier this year, with the Trojans pulling out an easy victory at the NorCal tournament, 11-4.
The quarterfinal matchup between the two teams was highlighted by the strong play of two from the senior class: driver Matt Sagehorn and two-meter Shea Buckner. The victory also extended the Trojans winning streak against the Anteaters to 14.
Sagehorn, who ranks 15th all-time on the Trojan’s career scoring list, scored his first career goal in that 2006 season-opener against the Anteaters. Sagehorn to reminisce as this matchup brought him full circle.
“It’s been a really great time here, the time has flown by,” Sagehorn said. “I think we’re going to have a good time here at the end of the season on Saturday.”
In the final regular season game for both teams before they compete in the MPSF tournament — scheduled over Thanksgiving weekend — both teams will hope to avoid overlooking this important matchup that is sure to set the tone for an always-intense conference tourney.
“It’s really important to finish the season strong,” Sagehorn said. “We need to keep our focus, and to complete our season on top would be huge for us.”
The Anteaters will bring senior utility man Cole Bielskis, the team’s leading scorer, to penetrate the Trojan defense — which was exposed last weekend against Stanford — and make a final push for the fourth ranking in the MPSF event.
Although this weekend’s game will be the final regular season game played at McDonald’s, the MPSF tournament will be played on USC’s campus, giving the team a certain home-pool advantage.
The extra games will also give the outgoing Trojans a chance to do something extraordinary, to have never lost a single game at home.
“Being at home is always a huge advantage, and we’ve protected our house during my career,” Sagehorn said.
The outgoing class will be honored prior to the game on the pool deck.