STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford’s 2025 season ended in the NCAA Championship semifinal this afternoon, as the Card fell 9-7 to UCLA. Senior goalie West Temkin made 10 saves in the cage as the Card held the defending champs to just nine goals.
“That was the highest level water polo I’ve seen all year,” said Dunlevie Family director of men’s water polo Brian Flacks. “Especially defensively, both teams were phenomenal. Just incredibly elite, and it was an unbelievable atmosphere. Obviously really disappointed, but really really proud in the growth of the team this year.”
The two sides were tight through the first eight minutes, with Gianpiero Di Martire scoring the Cardinal’s lone goal in the period. UCLA led 2-1 after the first.
CJ Indart tied it for the Cardinal in the second, scoring on a feed from Di Martire. UCLA answered with a pair of goals to retake the lead at 4-2, but Ben Forer fired off a rocket to score and cut it to one goal heading into halftime.
After the Bruins scored the first goal of the second half to go ahead 5-3, the Cardinal rallied with three-straight scores go ahead 6-5 for the team’s first lead of the day. UCLA was able to tie it back at 6-6, but Ryan Ohl scored his second goal of the period to give Stanford the 7-6 lead heading into the fourth.
UCLA scored the first goal of the fourth period to tie it back at 7-7. West Temkin was heroic in the fourth, making three of his 10 saves to keep the game notched at seven goals each. The Bruins scored with just under two minutes left to lead 8-7. An empty-net goal as time expired made it a 9-7 final.
Stanford’s season ends in the NCAA semifinal for the second-straight season, finishing the year at 18-8.