California Bears have clinched their third consecutive NCAA title, overcoming UCLA 13-11 at the Uytengsu Aquatic Centre in Los Angeles.
This latest triumph adds another gleaming trophy to California’s impressive collection, securing a record 17th NCAA title.
In the exhilarating national championship game held on Sunday, Roberto Valera and Max Casabella bossed the game, contributing to nine of the Bears’ 13 goals. Adrian Weinberg, Team USA’s primary goalkeeper, remained firm inbetween the sticks with 12 saves from 23 UCLA shots on goal.
Cal’s standout Greek player and 2022 Cutino Award winner, Nikolaos Papanikolaou, maintained his formidable form, accumulating an impressive 10 personal fouls drawn, in addition to his brace in the match.
UCLA showcased commendable effort in the final, concluding their 2023 campaign with only three losses from 29 matches. Despite their strong showing this season, UCLA held the lead for a mere 43 seconds in the final, ultimately falling to the well-deserved three-time reigning champions.
Notably, the 2023 triumph is not only an important milestone for Cal Berkeley, but also for their legendary coach Kirk Everist, who has now led the bears to a staggering 6 NCAA titles.
More to follow…
Previous champions
2022: California
2021: California
2020: UCLA
2019: Stanford
2018: USC
2017: UCLA
2016: California
2015: UCLA
2014: UCLA
2013: USC
2012: USC
2011: USC
2010: USC
2009: USC
2008: USC
2007: California
2006: California
2005: USC
2004: UCLA
2003: USC
2002: Stanford
2001: Stanford
2000: UCLA
1999: UCLA
1998: USC
1997: Pepperdine
1996: UCLA
1995: UCLA
1994: Stanford
1993: Stanford
1992: California
1991: California
1990: California
1989: UC Irvine
1988: California
1987: California
1986: Stanford
1985: Stanford
1984: California
1983: California
1982: UC Irvine
1981: Stanford
1980: Stanford
1979: UC Santa Barbara
1978: Stanford
1977: California
1976: Stanford
1975: California
1974: California
1973: California
1972: UCLA
1971: UCLA
1970: UC Irvine
1969: UCLA
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