University Southern California Trojans
Water Polo Wins in NCAA First Round
June 21, 1999 | Men's Water Polo
December 4, 1998
CORONA DEL MAR, Calif. - The USC men's water polo moved into the NCAA championship game for the fifth time in the last six years with a 12-3 first-round win over UMass on Friday night at Corona del Mar High School.
The Trojans (24-3), going for a first-ever title, will face Stanford in the championship on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Senior driver Marko Pintaric and sophomore driver George Csaszar each scored four points to lead USC to the victory.
USC took an 11-0 lead before UMass finally scored on a two-pointer with seven seconds left in the third quarter.
Pintaric hit a two-pointer in the second quarter from near mid-pool to give USC a 7-0 lead. It was Pintaric's 11th two-pointer of 1998, tying the school single-season record.
USC and Stanford met four times previously in 1998, with USC winning three of the four. All four games were decided by two goals or less. Stanford is 2-0 against USC in the national championship game.
UMass 0-0-2-1---3
USC 4-5-2-1---12
UMass Goals: Chad Filiault 1 (one 2-pointer), Brian Stahl 1.
USC Goals: Marko Pintaric 3 (one 2-pointer), George Csaszar 3 (one 2-pointer), Ivan Babic 1, James Castle 1, Stever O'Rourke 1, Brian Mericle 1.
Saves: Richard Huntley (UM) 9, Richard McEvoy (USC) 4, Darin Smith (USC) 2.
QUOTES FROM USC CO-HEAD COACH JOHN WILLIAMS:
(On the last few weeks) "In both losses that we had, the games meant nothing for us and everything to the other team. In college athletics, that often means so much. But we didn't rest, we kept working hard. We got ready to play our best water polo this weekend, because the championship is our goal."
QUOTES FROM USC CO-HEAD COACH JOVAN VAVIC:
"I think this team is the most consistent that we've had. It's the most mature and we have good leadership. The guys were very excited about the game and they came ready to play. There was a definite difference in talent level.
(On starting fast) "That was our game plan. We have a very fast team so we wanted to come out and get some easy counter-attack goals and that's what happened."
QUOTES FROM USC SENIOR DRIVER MARKO PINTARIC:
(On his two-pointer) "I like that shot. I try and get into that position. I was lucky on that one. I shot it to the high corner.
"The plan was to get off to a good start. UMass is a good team but we had more quality on our side. I was glad we took them seriously and played a good game.
"I'm totally serious about winning this. (The championship) will be my last game for USC and I'll give it everything."
