No. 1 UCLA men’s water polo (15-0) has not lost a match since Nov. 24. With a perfect start to the 2025 campaign thus far – and an opportunity to repeat as national champions – the Bruins begin MPSF play with two weekend matches against familiar foes. The squad will first face No. 2 California (11-1) at the Spieker Aquatics Complex in Berkeley on Saturday before taking on No. 4 Stanford (8-2) at the Avery Aquatic Center in Stanford, California, the following day. Daily Bruin senior staffer Ava Abrishamchian provides a scouting report for both opponents heading into the games.

California
Coach: Kirk Everist
Best Player: Albert Ponferrada
Strength: Defensive play
Weakness: Turnovers
X-Factor: Beso Akhvlediani

The Golden Bears reaffirmed themselves as national champions in 2023, capturing their third consecutive NCAA title against the Bruins. One year later, the Bruins came back to defeat their Northern California rival in the MPSF championship match en route to the NCAA title. Under longtime head coach Kirk Everist, who is in his 24th season at the helm, the Golden Bears have claimed six national titles.

Cal has the potential to reclaim championship glory in 2025. Through the first month of play, the No. 2 squad in the nation has blended veteran experience with breakout performances from newcomers to emerge as a championship frontrunner once again.

However, the Golden Bears suffered their first loss of the season against UCLA on Sept. 21.

Although Cal opened the game with three straight goals and held a 5-4 lead at halftime, turnovers proved costly down the stretch. Missed offensive opportunities paired with seven total giveaways allowed the Bruins to rally and seize control.

Despite freshman goalkeeper Aran Pina recording a game-high four steals and goals from junior center Chase Wilson, senior attacker Nik Mirkovic and sophomore defender Maddox Arlett, it was not enough. The Bruins came in hot, and Cal could not keep up, recording its lowest-scoring game of the year against UCLA.

The Golden Bears are led by a balanced cast of veterans and young stars. Pina leads the MPSF with 110 saves and earned Newcomer of the Week honors in mid-September.

Attacker Beso Akhvlediani has solidified himself as a potential offensive X-factor. The freshman ranks third in the conference for goals with 32 and is tied for fifth in points with 50. His ability to shift momentum was on display Sept. 20, when he recorded his first career hat trick against No. 11 Loyola Marymount. With impactful offensive production, the Golden Bears have a reliable weapon in high-pressure moments and a critical foundation for attacks that are difficult to contain.

With 13 returning faces and 11 newcomers – including seven true freshmen and three transfers – Cal boasts both depth and upside.

Ultimately, Cal’s biggest strength lies in its balance. The Golden Bears can score from multiple positions, dominate defensively with blocks and steals and rotate goalkeepers without losing confidence. However, as the UCLA loss showed, late-game execution remains critical.

If Cal can reduce turnovers and finish better in the fourth quarter, the Golden Bears have all the tools to defend their national crown and extend their run of dominance in men’s water polo.

Stanford
Coach: Brian Flacks
Best Player: Gianpiero Di Martire
Strength: Offense
Weakness: Stamina
X-Factor: Botond Balogh

Stanford claimed one of the most talented rosters in the nation in 2024, with five players named to the All-MPSF teams. Entering 2025, however, the Cardinal faces questions about consistency and depth. Now 10 games into the season, the No. 4 Cardinal sits at 8-2 with marquee wins over San Jose State and Pepperdine, positioning itself as a real contender in the MPSF race.

With veteran leadership in and out of the pool, Stanford’s ceiling will depend on whether its roster can continue to deliver in high-pressure moments against its in-state rivals.

The strength of this team is its balanced attack. Redshirt senior attacker and former Bruin Gianpiero Di Martire has made a seamless transition into the Cardinal lineup. Quickly emerging as one of Stanford’s most dynamic offensive weapons, he debuted in a 15-8 win against No. 11 LMU on Aug. 30, contributing a goal and two assists before posting five goals less than a week later on the road against No. 8 UC Davis.

Di Martire repeated the performance in the overtime battle with No. 3 USC on Sept. 21, notching five goals throughout the two-point defeat. Most recently, the attacker powered Stanford’s win over Pepperdine on Sept. 28, netting five goals once again – including four in the second half. The Cardinals have an additional force in Di Martire, whose 41 points are second-most on the team.

Sophomore attacker Botond Balogh also strengthens Stanford’s attack. He notched a combined nine goals, four assists and four steals against San Jose State and Pepperdine last week, earning MPSF Player of the Week honors. Leading the squad with 50 points, 31 goals, and 19 assists, the sophomore provided the Cardinal with an X-factor that few opponents can match.

Senior goalkeeper West Temkin has proven to be a steady anchor in the cage, following up his 2024 All-American campaign with 87 saves through 10 games, including 16 in the overtime loss to No. 3 USC. His reliability gives Stanford the defensive backbone to complement its explosive offense, making the team dangerous on both ends of the pool.

Still, weaknesses remain. Stanford’s biggest challenge is stamina. Late-game lapses have cost them games, and defensive focus has wavered under heavy offensive exchanges. When tempo changes, Stanford’s endurance falters.

Stanford’s only two losses on the season came against the country’s best – falling in overtime to the Trojans and a road matchup against the Bruins. The Cardinal struggled to maintain execution late in both games, and without matching intensity, they could struggle in MPSF play.

Stanford boasts one of the nation’s most dangerous offensive teams, with an elite sophomore class and key transfers in Di Martire and Temkin. If the Cardinals can manage their intensity across the four quarters, they may have the talent to contend with conference foes for the MPSF title.