STANFORD, Calif. – Freshman Ben Hallock posted his 11th hat trick of the season to lead No. 4 Stanford to a 7-5 victory over No. 3 UCLA in an Mountain Pacific Sports Federation showdown at Avery Aquatic Center Saturday.
The victory, Stanford's 10th straight, sets up a big match with No. 1 California this coming Thursday at 2:30 p.m. PT at Avery Aquatic Center. The winner will claim the MPSF regular-season title.
Hallock set the tone early in Saturday's win over UCLA, taking a feed from senior Cody Smith and punching home to put Stanford (16-3, 1-1) ahead with the score less than two minutes into the contest.
The Bruins (16-3, 0-2) used a pair of scores to jump ahead, before Blake Parrish connected on the one-timer off the feed from Sawyer Rhodes to tie it up.
Blake Parrish punches home the one-timer off the feed from Sawyer Rhodes... tie game! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/ddMhByfojm
— Stanford Water Polo (@StanfordMWP) November 4, 2017
Hallock found the back of the cage in the final seconds of the first half to put the Cardinal back ahead, 3-2, at the break.
Senior Connor Stapleton sliced one in the bottom left corner midway through the third period to give the Cardinal a two-goal advantage.
Connor Stapleton... corner pocket. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/rgmYb1JNMa
— Stanford Water Polo (@StanfordMWP) November 4, 2017
Hallock countered a Bruin score with a goal from two meters to put Stanford back up by two goals. The hat trick against UCLA increased his team-high season scoring total to 52.
?? trick for @Ben_Hallock. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/awx3l2VAZ9
— Stanford Water Polo (@StanfordMWP) November 4, 2017
Stanford and UCLA continued to trade scores, as senior Jackson Kimbell punctuated the win with a two-meter goal off a feed from Smith to give the Cardinal the 7-5 advantage with 2:49 to play.
Jackson Kimbell puts home a Cody Smith pass for the two-goal Stanford lead with 1:27 to play. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/B7qfAXXGKb
— Stanford Water Polo (@StanfordMWP) November 4, 2017
Senior Drew Holland had another strong performance in the cage for the Cardinal, finishing with eight saves in the contest. He had a number of big stops, capping the day with a big save in the final minute to seal the win.