No. 2 UCLA Storms Back to Defeat No. 3 USC in OT, 14-13

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LOS ANGELES -- No. 2 UCLA (21-2, 2-1 MPSF) stormed back from a three-goal deficit in the final 1:05 of the fourth quarter to post a 14-13 overtime win over No. 3 USC (15-6, 1-2 MPSF) on Friday afternoon at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center. UCLA improved to 94-88-1 all-time in the series history with their third-straight win over the Trojans in 2022.

The Bruins trailed 13-10 after Jake Ehrhardt scored for USC at even strength (1:19) late in the fourth quarter. Redshirt sophomore Gianpiero Di Martire caught fire down the stretch, scoring on three straight 7-on-6 plays by UCLA in the final 1:05 of regulation. The first came off a feed from senior Tommy Gruwell (1:05) and the second off a pass from junior Makoto Kennedy (0:35) to cut the deficit to 13-12. Then after the Bruins got a stop and the ball back with 0:05 remaining, UCLA Head Coach Adam Wright called his final timeout. On the ensuing entry pass to start the possession by super senior Jake Cavano, Di Martire redirected the one-timer past the Trojan keeper to send the game into extra time (0:03).

In the overtime period, both teams were scoreless for the first 5:57 of the possible 6:00 minutes of extra time until Cavano got a steal (0:15) and scored the game-winning goal with 0:03 remaining after an ordinary foul.

The Bruins had 10 different players score, paced by Di Martire's hat trick. Eight of the 14 goals were scored by Bruin seniors playing in their final home game. Seniors Andy Rodgers and Jack Larsen each scored twice against USC.

Senior Bernardo Maurizi got the start in the cage and went the distance, registering 15 saves and one steal, while allowing 13 goals.

Massimo Di Martire led the Trojans with four scores while Kyle McKenney had eight saves while surrendering 14 goals to UCLA.

PERIOD ONE
> UCLA outscored USC 4-3 in the first period.
> After the Trojans scored (6:52), Larsen got the equalizer from the front court (6:28).
> Freshman Gray Carson then put the Bruins in front with a goal from two meters (4:27).
> Rodgers (3:40) extended the lead to 3-1 with a goal from the front court.
> After the Trojans tied the game with back-to-back goals (2:57 and 0:55), Larsen scored his second of the game (0:32) to end the scoring in the first with the Bruins leading 4-3.

PERIOD TWO
> Both teams battled to a 3-3 draw with UCLA taking a 7-6 lead heading into the break.
> USC opened the scoring in the second with a penalty conversion (5:25) and then the Trojans took a 5-4 lead with another score (4:37).
> Senior Max Berg tied the score at 5-5 with a power play goal (2:40) off a feed from Cavano.
> Rodgers scored his second of the game on a power play (1:35) off a feed from Di Martire to put the Bruins back in front at 6-5.
> UCLA pushed the lead to 7-5 when senior Giorgio Alessandria took a feed from Berg and scored at two meters (0:23).
> The Trojans scored in the final seconds (0:03) to end the scoring in the second.

PERIOD THREE
> USC outscored UCLA, 4-2, to take a 10-9 lead heading into the fourth.
> After USC tied it up at 7-7 (4:39), Discipulo put the Bruins back in front (4:12) off an assist from senior Tommy Gruwell.
> The Trojans would tie it at 8-8 (2:54), but junior Makoto Kenney put UCLA up 9-8 with a score from the front court (2:37).
> USC would score the final two goals of the period (1:26 and 0:36) to end the scoring in the third.

PERIOD FOUR
> UCLA won the fourth quarter, 4-3, to tie it up at 13-13 at the end of regulation.
> Sophomore Chase Dodd opened the scoring in the fourth (6:57), tying the game at 10-10 with a power play goal.
> USC would build a three-goal lead (5:43, 3:05, and 1:19) and looked to have the game on lockdown until Gianpiero Di Martire scored three-straight on Bruin 7-on-6 plays to send the game into overtime.

FIRST OT
> Both teams were scoreless.

SECOND OT
> UCLA scored the only goal of the overtime period when Cavano found the back of the net after a steal and ordinary foul (0:03) to provide the 14-13 final.

UP NEXT
The Bruins will begin their MPSF title defense when they face Washington & Jefferson in the first round of the 2022 MPSF Men's Water Polo Championship at USC on Friday, Nov. 18 at 1:00 p.m. PT.

No. 3 USC at No. 2 UCLA (MPSF Game)

6x5 - UCLA - 3/10 - USC - 2/5
Penalties - UCLA - 0/0 - USC - 1/1

USC Goals: Massimo Di Martire 4, Jake Ehrhardt 2, Joshua Waldoch 2, Ashworth  Molthen 2, Max Miller 1, Luka Brnetic 1, Tony Nardelli 1
USC Saves: Kyle McKenney 8

UCLA Goals: Gianpiero Di Martire 3, Jack Larsen 2, Andy Rodgers 2, Gabe Discipulo 1, Jake Cavano 1, Gray Carson 1, Max Berg 1, Chase Dodd 1, Makoto Kenney 1, Giorgio Alessandria 1
UCLA Saves: Bernardo Maurizi 15