Thursday, November 29
Stanford, CA
5:45 PM
George Washington University
6
vs
18
UCLA
Photo by: John Todd
Men's Water Polo Wraps Historic Campaign
11/29/2018 8:50:00 PM | Water Polo
Colonials fell to No. 2 UCLA in NCAA quarterfinal
STANFORD, Calif. – After earning its place among the nation's elite with a spirited postseason run, George Washington men's water polo closed a historic season Thursday, falling to No. 2 UCLA, 18-6, in an NCAA Championship quarterfinal at Avery Aquatic Center.
The Colonials were among the final six teams competing for a national championship after taking their second straight Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Championship in thrilling fashion and then downing Princeton in overtime last weekend for their first NCAA victory. They earned their best-ever national ranking at No. 11 and tied the program record with 23 wins during a memorable fall campaign.
The journey ended Thursday against defending national champion UCLA, which built a six-goal lead in the opening half and then pulled away after halftime thanks to a 6-0 third-quarter advantage. The Bruins advance to face No. 3 USC on Saturday for a spot in Sunday's national championship game.
On the sport's biggest stage, Andrew Mavis paced GW with three goals, capping a terrific junior season in which he scored a career-high 83 goals. Andras Levai posted a goal and three assists, while Atakan Destici and Zach Slaughter also found the net for the Buff and Blue.
Austin Pyrch made four saves over the first three quarters in his final game in Buff and Blue to finish with 582 for his career, good for fifth in program history.
Just three years removed from a winless season in conference play, GW returned to the NCAA tournament and used last year's experience to take the next step forward to join the national heavyweights in California.
Led by MAWPC All-Conference honorees Destici, Pyrch and Mavis, the Colonials thrived under pressure in the postseason. The Buff and Blue fought off elimination in the conference final with a buzzer-beating goal against Bucknell before winning overtime. Then, they erased a five-goal deficit to beat Princeton in extra time and earn their trip to the West Coast.
Going forward, GW will have to replace four seniors but is set to bring back plenty of talent, including its top four scorers. Destici paces that group after posting a team-high 157 points this fall. He'll enter his senior season as the program's all-time assist leader and within reach of the career points record.
WATCH THIS: Hear from head coach Barry King, Zach Slaughter, Henry Maas and Andrew Mavis after Thursday's game.
UCLA 18, GW 6
GWÂ --2-1-0-3--6
UCLA --5-4-6-3--18
GW Goals: Mavis 3, Destici 1, Levai 1, Slaughter 1.
GW Assists: Levai 3, Blosser 2, Kerwin 1.
GW Steals: Destici 1, Mavis 1, Slaughter 1, Blosser 1, Gill 1, Lillis 1, Pendolino 1.
GW Field Blocks: Destici 1, Yardley 1.
GW Ejections Drawn: Destici 3, Mavis 2, Slaughter 1, Levai 1.
GWÂ Saves:Â Pyrch 4, Taylor 1.
The Colonials were among the final six teams competing for a national championship after taking their second straight Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Championship in thrilling fashion and then downing Princeton in overtime last weekend for their first NCAA victory. They earned their best-ever national ranking at No. 11 and tied the program record with 23 wins during a memorable fall campaign.
The journey ended Thursday against defending national champion UCLA, which built a six-goal lead in the opening half and then pulled away after halftime thanks to a 6-0 third-quarter advantage. The Bruins advance to face No. 3 USC on Saturday for a spot in Sunday's national championship game.
On the sport's biggest stage, Andrew Mavis paced GW with three goals, capping a terrific junior season in which he scored a career-high 83 goals. Andras Levai posted a goal and three assists, while Atakan Destici and Zach Slaughter also found the net for the Buff and Blue.
Austin Pyrch made four saves over the first three quarters in his final game in Buff and Blue to finish with 582 for his career, good for fifth in program history.
Just three years removed from a winless season in conference play, GW returned to the NCAA tournament and used last year's experience to take the next step forward to join the national heavyweights in California.
Led by MAWPC All-Conference honorees Destici, Pyrch and Mavis, the Colonials thrived under pressure in the postseason. The Buff and Blue fought off elimination in the conference final with a buzzer-beating goal against Bucknell before winning overtime. Then, they erased a five-goal deficit to beat Princeton in extra time and earn their trip to the West Coast.
Going forward, GW will have to replace four seniors but is set to bring back plenty of talent, including its top four scorers. Destici paces that group after posting a team-high 157 points this fall. He'll enter his senior season as the program's all-time assist leader and within reach of the career points record.
WATCH THIS: Hear from head coach Barry King, Zach Slaughter, Henry Maas and Andrew Mavis after Thursday's game.
Hear from Head Coach Barry King, Zach Slaughter, Henry Maas and Andrew Mavis after today's NCAA quarterfinal vs. No. 2 UCLA. #RaiseHigh pic.twitter.com/9JAEQSdJ3O
— GW Water Polo (@GW_WaterPolo) November 30, 2018
UCLA 18, GW 6
GWÂ --2-1-0-3--6
UCLA --5-4-6-3--18
GW Goals: Mavis 3, Destici 1, Levai 1, Slaughter 1.
GW Assists: Levai 3, Blosser 2, Kerwin 1.
GW Steals: Destici 1, Mavis 1, Slaughter 1, Blosser 1, Gill 1, Lillis 1, Pendolino 1.
GW Field Blocks: Destici 1, Yardley 1.
GW Ejections Drawn: Destici 3, Mavis 2, Slaughter 1, Levai 1.
GWÂ Saves:Â Pyrch 4, Taylor 1.
Players Mentioned
UTL
/ Water Polo
UTL
/ Water Polo
ATT
/ Water Polo
CEN
/ Water Polo
GK
/ Water Polo
UTL
/ Water PoloNo Bag Policy PSA
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