A week after falling 16-12 to No. 1 Stanford at home, No. 3 USC men’s water polo returned to Uytengsu Aquatics Center over the weekend with a rematch against No. 2 UCLA on the horizon. 

The Trojans used Saturday afternoon’s nonconference matchup against No. 10 UC San Diego as a tune-up, controlling the game from the opening quarter to defeat the Tritons 15-9 despite being down Head Coach Marko Pintaric. The eighth year head coach received a red card in USC’s last game against Stanford, preventing him from coaching this matchup but fueling his players to prevail.   

The win puts the Trojans (13-2, 1-1 MPSF) at 13 wins in their first 15 matches, with their only two losses coming at the hands of the Cardinal (13-1, 2-0). Alternatively, the Tritons (12-5, 1-0 Big West) dropped their fifth game of the season, all to ranked opponents. USC led 12-4 at the top of the fourth quarter before UC San Diego outscored the Trojans 5-3 down the stretch, making it an entertaining final period.

But even before the final whistle, the Trojans’ attention was set on next weekend: USC will host UCLA (16-1, 1-1) Saturday for Senior Day, marking the first time the teams have met since the Bruins won last season’s NCAA championship game 11-10 on a last-second goal. 

“We had a hard week of practice preparing for UCLA next week, so it was good for us to work on our mental game more than our physical game,” senior driver Zach Bettino said in a postgame interview with the Daily Trojan. 

Trojan defense sets tone 

The Trojans held UC San Diego to just four goals through the first three quarters, anchored by redshirt junior goalkeeper Charles Mills in the cage. Mills made 10 saves and saved 71.4% of the shots he faced before giving way to backup goalies redshirt freshman Luke Harris and junior Nemo Pavoggi in the fourth quarter. Mills’ save percentage this season is now up to .459, as he continues to solidify himself as one of the best goalies in collegiate water polo, with a total of 107 saves so far this season. 

Bettino attributed USC’s success to its attitude on the defensive front, which allowed the Trojans to get its early lead.

“The biggest thing we were practicing this week was just our defense and really working on communication … and it showed,” Bettino said. “We [held] them to four goals in the first three quarters, which is a good statement for us to make.”

USC finished with 17 steals to UC San Diego’s five, and the Tritons committed 11 turnovers compared to the Trojans’ four. The pressure limited UC San Diego’s chances at the cage, with the Tritons shooting just 34.6% during the four quarters. 

Offensive efficiency in third quarter

On the other end of the pool, USC’s offense was productive, and its ball movement was unselfish. The Trojans made 15 of their 33 shots, with assists on 13 of the 15 goals.

USC scored in every quarter, but its largest lead came in the third quarter: The Trojans outscored the Tritons 5-1 in the period to boost their advantage 12-4 and take control of the game leading up to the fourth. 

Sophomore driver Gavin Conant led the Trojans’ attack with three goals on four shots, adding one assist and three steals during the match. Freshman driver Ante Jerkovic also made an impact, with two assists, two steals and one block. 

Senior driver Robert López Duart recorded a hat trick on seven attempts, scoring once in each of the first three quarters. He also added an assist as USC built a very strong lead entering the fourth quarter.

UCSD finally found its offense in the final period, scoring five goals against USC’s reserve goalies — a higher total than the first three quarters combined. Junior attacker Liam Amburgey had two of those goals — one in a 6-on-5 power play — and added an assist. Freshman utility Bryan Shapirshteyn also scored a penalty shot after a Trojan foul in a solid performance for the youngster. 

USC now turns its full attention to UCLA, which was picked to rank first in the MPSF Men’s Water Polo Preseason Coaches’ Poll after winning back-to-back national titles. 

In a game that carries both conference stakes and the weight of last season’s championship loss, the goal is clear for the Trojans on Saturday.

“[We need to focus on] just mentally getting in the right headspace, and worrying about ourselves and not the exterior things,” Bettino said.

The Trojans will host the Bruins Saturday at 1 p.m. at Uytengsu Aquatics Center.