News Summary
The UCLA Men’s Water Polo team showcased a dominant performance, defeating LMU 15-4 with standout contributions from Ryder Dodd, who scored five goals. The Bruins excelled in both offense and defense, successfully completing all their penalty shots and maintaining a strong presence in the pool. LMU fought back with notable efforts from Alika Naone, but ultimately couldn’t match UCLA’s skill. This victory reinforces UCLA’s status as a competitive force in college water polo.
Los Angeles, CA – The UCLA Men’s Water Polo team delivered a commanding performance on September 27, 2025, defeating LMU with a decisive score of 15-4. The match showcased UCLA’s dominance in the pool, especially highlighted by multiple scoring contributions from key players such as Ryder Dodd, who netted five goals.
In the game format organized as Men’s Water Polo 6×5, UCLA’s offensive prowess was evident. The Bruins successfully completed all four of their penalty shot attempts, fittingly demonstrating their skill under pressure. In contrast, LMU managed to score just one goal from their sole penalty shot attempt.
Scoring Breakdown
UCLA’s scoring was well distributed among the team members. In addition to Ryder Dodd’s five goals, Bode Brinkema, Wade Sherlock, and Eli Liechty each contributed three goals. Other contributors included Ben Liechty with two goals, and Chase Dodd, Marcell Szécsi, Ben Larsen, Noah Rowe, and Trey Doten each adding one goal to the tally. This diverse scoring distribution indicates the team’s collaborative effort and strong performance throughout the match.
Defensive Highlights
On the defensive end, UCLA’s goalkeepers put forth a solid performance, with Nick Tovani leading the way with five saves. Additionally, Nate Tauscher and Joey Kent each recorded one save, which further solidified UCLA’s strong defense against LMU’s attempts to score.
LMU’s Response
LMU’s team, despite the loss, showed flashes of competitive spirit. Their offensive efforts were spearheaded by Alika Naone, who scored four goals, while Tommaso Baldineti contributed three goals. Nico Furneaux, Roman Saroyan, and Nick Leung also added to the scoring, each obtaining one goal.
Defensively, LMU’s Roberto Barrera Sanchez registered one save, while Finn Friedland did not record any saves during the game, highlighting UCLA’s offensive pressure throughout.
Notable Game Moments
The match featured several key moments, particularly UCLA’s early scoring surge that set the tone for the game. Ryder Dodd’s multiple goals invigorated the crowd and built momentum for the Bruins, who maintained control and extended their lead as the game progressed.
Context of the Match
Played at home, this match against LMU continued to demonstrate UCLA’s competitive edge in men’s water polo following their recent matchup against Cal Athletics. The Bruins’ performance solidified their status as a formidable team within college water polo, reflecting consistent training and strategic gameplay.
As the season progresses, the UCLA Men’s Water Polo team looks forward to maintaining their winning streak and showcasing their skills in upcoming matches.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
UCLA and USC Face Funding Cuts and Ranking Declines
Additional Resources
- Daily Bruin: UCLA Men’s Water Polo Sinks LMU
- UCLA Bruins: No. 1 UCLA Tames the LMU Lions
- Cal Bears: No. 3 Cal Falls to No. 1 UCLA
- Harvard Crimson: Men’s Water Polo Travels to California
- Harvard Crimson: Falls to No. 1 UCLA
- Wikipedia: Water Polo
- Google Search: UCLA Men’s Water Polo
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