Two weeks ago at the Overnght MPSF Invitational, USC men’s water polo needed a big-time comeback in the fourth quarter to defeat UC Berkeley after its loss to Stanford a day prior. This weekend, the Trojans will have another shot against both opponents to make a statement.

No. 3 USC (11-1) will host No. 4 UC Berkeley (9-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday before facing No. 2 Stanford (10-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday. Both matches will be played at Uytengsu Aquatics Center and mark the beginning of conference play for the Trojans.

The weekend brings together three of the top four teams in the latest Collegiate Water Polo Association poll. No. 1 UCLA (14-0) will also participate in the weekend’s round-robin action, hosting Stanford Saturday and UC Berkeley Sunday.

Trojans carry faster start into rematches

USC enters conference play following a 15-8 victory over No. 12 University of the Pacific (4-5) Sunday, in which it corrected the slow starts that complicated both of its preview matchups against Stanford and Cal.

Sophomore driver Apostolos Georgaras led USC with four goals, matching his USC career high in scoring despite being known for his playmaking abilities. Sophomore driver Gavin Conant added three goals, while sophomore driver Efe Naipoglu recorded a career-high five assists.

The production continued USC’s offensive balance. Sophomore 2-meter Strahinja Krstic leads the team with 38 goals after scoring twice against Pacific, while senior driver Robert López Duart sits at 30. Georgaras, Conant and Naipoglu have each recorded at least 19 goals and 11 assists, giving USC several options when opponents limit Krstic and López Duart.

That depth will be tested against two defenses that caused USC problems at the invitational.

While in their last match Stanford limited the Trojans to a season-low eight goals, Cal built an 11-8 advantage through three quarters before USC found its offense late, pulling out a 13-12 win. Establishing control as it did against Pacific could prevent the Trojans from needing another fourth-quarter response against both opponents this weekend.

California brings balanced offense into rematch

The Golden Bears started the season 8-0 before suffering consecutive one-goal losses to UCLA and USC at the invitational. They responded on Sept. 24 by defeating No. 19 Saint Mary’s College (5-7) 22-8.

California has scored 176 goals over 11 games, averaging 16 per contest while allowing just nine. Sophomore attacker Beso Akhvlediani leads the Golden Bears with 29 goals and 20 assists, making him their top scorer and facilitator. Sophomore attacker Kai Inoue has also added 13 goals and 13 assists.

Both players caused a ruckus for USC in their first matchup. Inoue scored four goals on five shots, while Akhvlediani added a third-quarter hat trick. The two combined for seven of Cal’s 12 goals and helped the Golden Bears turn a 7-6 halftime lead into an 11-8 advantage.

However, Cal scored only once over the final eight minutes, allowing Krstic, freshman driver Ante Jerkovic and López Duart to bring the Trojans back. 

The comeback demonstrated USC’s ability to adjust, but the rematch will test whether it can contain Cal’s leading scorers before falling behind. The Golden Bears have scored at least 14 goals in each of their nine victories, meaning USC may not be able to depend on another late defensive stand.

Stanford goalkeeper presents USC’s largest obstacle

USC’s loss to Stanford two weekends ago, their only loss of the season thus far, was largely defined by a former Trojan: redshirt senior goalkeeper Bernardo Herzer.

Herzer made a career-high 22 saves to help the Cardinal defeat USC 10-8 in the invitational semifinals. The Trojans attempted 42 shots but converted only eight, producing a season-low .190 shooting percentage.

Stanford held USC scoreless in the second quarter and entered halftime ahead 6-2. The Trojans cut into the deficit during the second half and shut out the Cardinal in the fourth, but Stanford’s defense prevented them from completing the comeback.

Herzer continued his high level of play that game, adding 10 saves Sunday during Stanford’s 15-8 victory over No. 16 UC Davis (8-7), marking his third consecutive game with double-digit saves. 

The Cardinal also possessed several scoring threats in addition to their strong defense: Junior attacker Botond Balogh scored three times against USC, while junior driver Ben Forer and senior utility James Rozolis-Hill each recorded hat tricks against the Aggies. Stanford’s sole loss came on a UCLA goal with one second remaining in the invitational championship.

USC will need to create higher-quality opportunities around the cage to determine whether the Trojans are able to reverse the result.

The Trojans have already shown it can respond to adversity earlier this season. This weekend will reveal whether it can avoid that adversity against two opponents that nearly handed it consecutive losses.

The Trojans will host UC Berkeley at 1 p.m. Saturday and Stanford at 1 p.m. Sunday at Uytengsu Aquatics Center to open MPSF conference play.