Stanford Captures 10th NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship

INDIANAPOLIS — In a stellar performance, the Stanford Cardinal women’s water polo team triumphed over Southern California with an 11-7 victory, securing their 10th NCAA championship and marking their third title in four seasons.

A Strong Ending to the Season

Finishing the season with an impressive record of 25-1, Stanford capped off the year with a notable 10-game winning streak. This run included a major earlier defeat against the Trojans on March 29, which ended in a close 12-11 loss.

Key Performers

Juliette Dhalluin emerged as a standout player, scoring three pivotal goals. Notably, she netted a goal just before halftime, bringing the score to 6-6, and found the back of the net again midway through the third quarter to secure the lead for Stanford.

Contributions from Others

Serena Browne bolstered the team with two crucial goals during the latter part of the match, while Ryann Neushul contributed significantly to the team’s legacy. With her goal during the game, Neushul reached a career total of 228 goals, placing her fifth on Stanford’s all-time scoring list. Notably, she became the first player in the program’s history to win four NCAA championships.

Defensive Standouts

On the defensive front, Christine Carpenter made an impressive nine saves, helping to maintain Stanford’s advantage throughout the match.

USC’s Efforts

For the Trojans, Meghan McAninch was the leading scorer with two goals, while goalkeeper Anna Reed made 11 saves in an effort to keep USC competitive.

Stanford’s Historic Success

With this latest triumph, Stanford has now won a total of 137 NCAA team championships, a record that positions them as leaders in collegiate sports. This victory also marks the continuation of a streak where Stanford has secured at least one championship title for an impressive 49 consecutive seasons.