Top-seeded Stanford men host water polo championships

NCAA men’s water polo at Stanford

Stanford makes its 32nd appearance in the NCAA Men’s Water Polo Champions and is hosting this year’s event at Avery Aquatic Center.

The top-seeded Cardinal (20-2) play UC San Diego (21-5) in the semifinals at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Tritons beat Long Beach State 14-9 in the first round on Thursday behind Connor Turnbow-Lindenstadt’s seven goals and Bellarmine alum Jack Turner’s 14 saves. UC San Diego won the Western Water Polo Association title.

The other semifinal will pit defending national champion UCLA (23-4) against USC (28-3) at 5 p.m. Nicolas Saveljic leads the Bruins with 48 goals. USC has three 50-goal scorers, Jacob Mercep (56), Mark Vavic (56) and Hannes Daube (54).