University Southern California Trojans
USC Men's Water Polo 2007 Outlook
August 22, 2007 | Men's Water Polo
Aug. 22, 2007
Don't get caught up in the numbers.
Most certainly, the firepower of graduated two-time All-American drivers Juan Delgadillo and Thomas Hale -- who generated a combined 277 goals and two NCAA titles in their USC careers -- will be missed in the pool for 2007. However, the returning bulk of the 2007 Trojan men's water polo lineup was far more than just a supporting cast to their senior leaders in 2006.
A mere glance at the center slot reveals at least six familiar faces as well as a trio of experienced two-meter men who are back in the waters of Troy. And that vaunted incoming class from 2006 that created a depth charge powerful enough to lift the Trojans to a second straight NCAA final?
Back for more.
Eight 2006 newcomers learned the ropes quickly and played key roles in propelling USC to its second straight NCAA final. A year's experience for all -- along with another summer of international competition with the Junior National Team for six Trojans -- rounds out a frighteningly deep and balanced roster for head coach Jovan Vavic's 2007 USC squad.
"You don't replace Thomas and Juan and their speed and experience and scoring ability, but we are gaining in in other areas," Vavic said. "We're more physical and bigger and deeper."
Already, that mass of returning muscle and talent has garnered the Trojans the top pick in the polls. Selected the No. 1 team in the national and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation preseason polls, USC opens 2007 in familiar territory. The Trojans practically bought property at the top while generating a 44-game winning streak that spanned the 2005 run to a third national championship and an undefeated run through the bulk of the 2006 season en route to a repeat appearance in the NCAA title match.
Now, coach Vavic and his staff are charged with the duty of guiding the Trojans once again through a wildly competitive MPSF season and a tournament schedule comprised of several road trips to Northern California. Berkeley will be host to both September's NorCal Tournament and the MPSF Championships this season, while this year's NCAA Championships are set for Stanford. And there's no other place the Trojans are planning to be than in that title game at Avery Aquatic Center on Dec. 2.
"That's definitely our plan and our goal," Vavic said. "I think we have the talent and the personnel to do it. It's always tough, but with this kind of a team if you set any other goals it would be unreasonable." Still, the Trojans will have the opportunity to tap into some home cooking for a few big MPSF clashes, including a Sept. 22 showdown with Pepperdine, an Oct. 6 tilt with Stanford and a Senior Day rumble with UC Irvine on Nov. 17.
As proven by that program-record win streak, the Trojans are well-accomplished at pounding out victories at home and on the road. After three full seasons at Troy, seniors Adam Shilling and Tommy Corcoran not only stand out as the most experienced of the group, they also represent the balance of the Trojan rosters as a potent goalie-center combination. If nothing else, USC's depth has become the cornerstone of the program's success. And -- believe it or not -- it's better than ever in 2007.
"This is one of the most balanced teams we've ever had. Any player can win a game for us," Vavic said. "It's a very coachable team, and I think our core group led by Adam and Tommy are all hard-working players."
Two-time All-American Shilling is widely recognized as one of the top goalies in the game, and Corcoran matches those honors while holding down the fort as a premier and powerful two-meter star.
"Adam's a true leader of this team and his teammates respect him. He helps our defense because if we make a serious mistake, he can correct it. He's a winner," Vavic said. "Tommy is in the best shape of his life. He hates to lose. He's a warrior and is the backbone on our team. He makes this team so dangerous on offense, and he's a great defender."
Corcoran and Shilling are two of five seniors on the roster, joined by two 2006 transfers who made immediate impacts -- left-handed driver Drew Vyn and two-meter Gabor Sarusi -- and returning star Trevor Clark. Clark served up the game-winning goal for the Trojans in their 2003 NCAA championship as a freshman, and after battling injuries is working his way back in the pool for his senior season.
Clark is one member of USC's ferociously deep staff of two-meter men along with fellow senior Corcoran. Back in the center slot as well are U.S. Senior National teamers J.W. Krumpholz, Shea Buckner and Arjan Ligtenberg. That highly skilled group is bulked up by several more versatile centers with the ability to provide both offensive surges and defensive strongholds at set, namely Sarusi, Jovan Vranes, Jordan Thompson and freshman U.S. Youth National Team player Devon Borisoff.
"Our strength is that we're deep in the major positions of two-meter offense and defense," Vavic said. "That's a great luxury in water polo. So much happens in front of the cage."
Hailing from the U.S. Junior National Team alongside Ligtenberg and Krumpholz are a set of talented sophomore drivers: Matt Sagehorn, Anthony Artukovich, Nico Sardo and lefty Justin Rappel. They were bluechip members of USC's 2006 recruiting class along with Kyle Sterling, whom Vavic anticipates as an impact player coming off his redshirt season. Combined, it's a solid group of dangerous, hard-working attackers.
"Our workouts are so much better with the Junior National team guys," Vavic said. "We as a team and as individuals really train hard in the offseason. I don't think we'll have too many players with 50 or 60 goals this season, but we'll be very balanced. In any game Shea, J.W., Drew or Sagehorn can score five goals, and Trevor Clark is arguably the most talented player on the team."
Backing up Shilling in the cage is returning goalie Ben Weil, who served as an incredibly stable substitute in his first season of action. Now a junior, Weil's reliability will again be called upon as a one-two punch with Shilling. Will Cherashore, Mike McGlennon and Ronnie Giery also stand to see time in the cage. Rejoining the team after a year's absence is a now-healthy junior driver Joe Cosentino and two-meter player Brandon Child. And further deepening the roster is a wealth of able drivers: Dogan Aktay, Adam McCall, Stephen Lacy, Ryan Cummins, Daniel Lim, Kyle Wootten and Garrett Hayes.
VAVIC ON HIS 2007 TROJANS:
Anthony Artukovich and Nico Sardo
"Those two are great soldiers. They played a very important role last year. Both are starting players who really add to the depth with their speed, experience and knowledge of this team."
Devon Borisoff
"Devon is a great defender and is so fast. He's tough as nails; he doesn't make too many mistakes. He's very reliable."
Shea Buckner
"Shea is one of the best shooters in the country. He has a very hard shot and is also a very tough defender. He's very strong and fast. He's one of those players with a very bright future."
Trevor Clark
"Trevor is arguably the most talented player on the team. With his size, speed and ability to play two-meter offense and defense, he has incredible experience."
Tommy Corcoran
"Tommy is in the best shape of his life, and he hates to lose. He is a warrior and is the backbone on our team. He makes this team be so dangerous on offense, and he's a great defender."
Joe Cosentino
"Joe was a starter in 2005 and it's great to have him back. He brings great speed and is great on the counterattack. He's very experienced and knows our system. As soon as he's 100 percent, he'll help us out."
J.W. Krumpholz
"J.W. is one of the most explosive two-meter men in the nation. He's a tenacious defender and a great counterattack player. As a sophomore, he has really grown into one of the top players in the nation."
Stephen Lacy
"Lacy was on our traveling squad as a freshman. He has an outstanding shot and is a very good driver. He's a very enthusiastic player and can create and get things accomplished one-on-one."
Arjan Ligtenberg
"In Arjan's first two years here, he only lost four games and won a championship. Arjan and Jovan were part of that 44-game winning streak and are really a part of what we've accomplished. They expect to win. Arjan had a good training with the junior team and with us; he's really gotten in a good physical shape."
Justin Rappel
"Justin is one of the best shooters on our team. I think he improved his defense and his overall water polo awareness. He's comfortable and poised, and that comes with experience."
Matt Sagehorn
"Sagehorn has improved defensively and his strength and stamina. I'm very pleased with him, and he is a top player on the junior team."
Gabor Sarusi
"I'm very pleased with Gabor's improvement. He's become a very hardworker. I think Gabor is one of our top shooters and is a key player on extra man."
Adam Shilling
"Adam is a true leader of this team, and his teammates respect him. He helps our defense because if we make a serious mistake, he can correct it. He's a winner. He has great preparation for workouts and games, and is overall a great athlete to coach."
Kyle Sterling
"Kyle redshirted last year, but he started all our games in summer nationals. This is a kid that we count on definitely. He's an excellent driver. He's tough and shoots the ball well."
Jordan Thompson
"Jordan is a big two-meter player. His biggest improvement has come in defense. He understands how to play defense, and he may be our strongest two-meter player. He's a great scorer out of two-meters -- an excellent finisher."
Jovan Vranes
"Jovan was our most improved player last year. Considering he didn't play much as a freshman, he went on to start almost every game and scored some huge goals for us. He's a great two-meter defender and is great on 6-on-5."
Drew Vyn
"Drew has seen plenty of playing time. Last year was great for him. Drew had a very good offseason; he fought for a starting spot and earned it."
Ben Weil
"Ben is one of our most prepared players. He's outstanding. Every time we played him he played well. We have great confidence in Ben as a goalie. I feel very comfortable with Ben in the cage."
