Menlo grad helps Cal win NCAA water polo title

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Menlo School grad Adam Haley scored twice, including the go-ahead goal as No. 2 California defended its NCAA men’s water polo title with an 8-6 victory over No. 1 Southern California on Sunday at Stanford’s Avery Aquatic Center.

Senior goalkeeper Mark Sheredy made several key saves down the stretch for Cal (28-4), including stopping a penalty shot late in the third period. Zac Monsees also scored twice for the Bears.

J.W. Krumpholz scored twice for the Trojans (19-3), who played in their third straight championship game and fourth in five years. Tommy Corcoran, Drew Vyn, Gabor Sarusi and Jovan Vranes also scored for Southern California. Gunn grad Arjan Ligtenberg played for the Trojans.

Brian Dudley, Spencer Warden, Trent Calder and Thomas Pearson added goals for Cal.

Haley scored after making a steal and swimming the length of the pool to give Cal a 3-2 lead in the second period. The Trojans eventually tied it at halftime, 4-4.

Haley also converted in a man-advantage situation, giving the Bears a 5-4 lead with 3:30 left in the third period.

After Sheredy blocked the penalty shot 20 seconds later, Cal eventually built an 8-5 advantage with 1:18 remaining to play.

— Weekly staff