UCLA men’s water polo has been led by Ryder Dodd for the last two seasons. The sophomore attacker has led the Bruins in goals each of the past two years, including their 2024 national championship run. In just his second collegiate year, the Long Beach, California, local has built upon his freshman campaign, sporting an MPSF-high 64 goals this season. And it is even harder to imagine a more star-studded resume, one that includes ACWPC Player of the Year, MPSF Player of the Year and an Olympic bronze medal. There is little doubt that Dodd is UCLA’s leader in and out of the water. But who is the Bruins’ “number two” option? The Daily Bruin Sports’ men’s water polo beat discusses who is UCLA’s second-best player.

Jacob Nguyen
Assistant Sports editor
Pick: Bode Brinkema

I’ll admit, this wasn’t the first name I thought of.

It was easy for me to picture other names, whether it is UCLA’s premier goalkeeper or some of the more experienced players on the roster.

But the sophomore utility deserves just as much love, and I would argue that Brinkema has quietly had an exceptional year.

The San Juan Capistrano, California, local ranks third on the team with 33 goals – just one shy of junior utility Ben Liechty. These numbers may not be as flashy as Dodd’s – who boasts 64 scores – but they are just as consistent. Brinkema has failed to score in just two matches this season, and he has more than doubled his goal tally from 2024, with four regular-season games remaining.

Although he’s only led the Bruins in goals on three occasions this year, one was in the season opener against Navy – a match in which Ryder Dodd did not play – which demonstrates how Brinkema is a prime candidate to step up when UCLA’s typical ace is not in the lineup.

But it is his utility position that makes him a unique two-way threat.

He doesn’t need to prove he can score – he’s been perfect from the field in eight games this year. But it’s his impact everywhere else that makes him the Bruins’ most valuable second option.

Brinkema ranks third on the team with 30 assists and has racked up 15 steals, demonstrating his ability to set up teammates and generate extra possessions. Additionally, his 16 sprint wins are good for fifth-most in the MPSF.

Simply put, Brinkema hustles.

And those are the intangibles any coach would rave over.

Who’s to say he couldn’t be “the guy” on a team of his own?

Kai Dizon
Daily Bruin senior staff
Pick: Chase Dodd

No, Ryder Dodd and redshirt senior attacker Chase Dodd aren’t twins.

Chase Dodd is three years older and three inches taller than Ryder Dodd.

Plus, their cap numbers – 15 and 24, respectively – don’t even share digits.

But if, even for a moment, an opposing player thinks they’re seeing double or mistakes one brother for the other, the benefit is undeniable. Maybe it means a mismatch. Maybe it means a blown coverage leading to an open shot. Maybe it just means a second of confusion.

Well, people make more mistakes when they’re confused.

I assume it’s a similar effect to associate head coach Jason Falitz looking like a duplicate of coach Adam Wright – often wearing matching outfits and accessories to boot.

How can the opposition be expected to perform at their best when they’re thinking, “Wait, there’s two of them?” before feeling ashamed upon realizing they were, indeed, wrong.

They’ll lose confidence with their heads full of doubt.

Oh, and Chase Dodd has 31 goals this season, which is good for fourth on the team, is a two-time All-American and is one of the most veteran players on the roster.

So I guess that’s cool.

Una O’Farrell
Daily Bruin senior staff
Pick: Eli Liechty

A center is often the most overlooked position in water polo.

Attackers and utilities carry the brunt of the offensive burden, and it’s a goalkeeper’s job to prevent the other team from lurching ahead. Even on a typical stat sheet, the numbers normally reflect goals, saves and the occasional block.

The stat that isn’t typically shown – one that’s aided the Bruins in winning a national championship and a current 18-1 record?

Earned exclusions.

Redshirt senior Eli Liechty currently ranks first in the MPSF with 48 drawn exclusions this season – tying his season-high total from 2024 – with a slate of more conference games and postseason tournaments still left to come.

And it’s not to say Liechty doesn’t carry an offensive burden, too. The Newport Beach, California, local also ranks fifth on the team in goals this season.

But on a team with two Bronze medal Olympians and Peter J. Cutino award winners, Liechty fills in the gaps where needed as a center, doubling as both an offensive and defensive sidekick to the highly touted heroes on either end of the pool, like the Dodds or redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Nate Tauscher.

So while he may not be constantly making weekly MPSF Honors or preseason watchlists, I have no issue with naming Liechty as the Bruins’ number two.

Because without drawn exclusions, the power plays don’t come. And without a reliable center anchoring the offense, defenses sag and attackers have to scramble.

Liechty is the glue, and that’s more than enough to make him UCLA’s number two.

Finn Karish
Daily Bruin contributor

Pick: Nate Tauscher

Defense may not be flashy, but there is a reason the cliché exists.

It does win championships.

Nate Tauscher is the cornerstone of a 2025 Bruin defense that has only improved on 2024’s championship-winning pedigree, with its goals conceded per game shrinking from 9.14 to 8.47.

The redshirt sophomore goalkeeper is the only Bruin, other than Dodd, to have earned MPSF Delfina Player of the Week honors in 2025. Additionally, Tauscher has the second-most saves in the MPSF, all while maintaining a 56.8% save percentage that places him at third in the conference and leads UCLA with 25 steals on the season.

Tauscher’s best performances of the season have come against elite opponents, including a career-high 14 saves against No. 3 Stanford on Oct. 5. Four out of the Sunset Beach locals’ five double-digit save performances have come against top-four nationally ranked opponents.

Goalkeepers have a unique opportunity to see the entire pool. A strong goalkeeper’s influence goes beyond the saves they make and extends to their communication and ability to get the squad moving on a counterattack. Tauscher brings these essential qualities to the Bruins, further cementing his position as UCLA’s number-two name behind Olympic standout Dodd.

With the potential to defend their national title, the Bruins will need Tauscher to remain at the top of his game heading into postseason play.