Stanford defeated Southern California 11–7 on Sunday to win their 10th NCAA women’s water polo title and third in the last four years thanks to three goals from Juliette Dhalluin and a defense that gave up only one goal in the second half.
Starting with a 12-11 loss to the Trojans on March 29, No. 1 Stanford (25-1) ended the season on a 10-game winning streak. On April 27, the Cardinal defeated USC 11–7 in the MPSF Championship semifinals.
Dhalluin’s goal with a second remaining in the first half put Stanford ahead 6–6, and his goal with 6:47 remaining in the third, the only one of the quarter, put Stanford ahead for good.
To make it 9–6, Serena Browne scored two more goals with 3:06 left and 6:04 left.
Ryann Neushul, the first four-time NCAA team champion in Stanford history, has scored a goal and built up 228 goals in her seven-year career, which is the fifth most in program history. Neushul left the Cardinals for two years to train with the U.S. national team after winning the 2019 national championship.
For the Cardinals, Christine Carpenter recorded nine saves.
Anna Reed ended with 11 saves, while Meghan McAninch led USC (29-5) with two goals.
The Cardinals have won at least one team championship in each of the last 49 seasons and hold the record for the most NCAA team championships (137).
See the full results, bracket and championship history below.
NC Women’s Water Polo Championship Bracket 2025-
NC wWmen’s Water Polo Championship Schedule 2025-
- National championship | May 11
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- No. 1 Stanford 11, No. 3 Southern California 7
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NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship History-
The NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship has been the pinnacle of collegiate women’s water polo since its inception in 2001. Held annually, this tournament determines the national champion among NCAA member institutions. Uniquely, it combines teams from Divisions I, II, and III into a single national championship, fostering a highly competitive environment. UCLA won the 2024 NC women’s water polo tournament by knocking off California 7-4.
See the full NC women’s water polo championship history below:
| EAR | CHAMPION (RECORD) | COACH | SCORE | RUNNER-UP | SITE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UCLA | Adam Wright | 7-4 | California | California |
| 2023 | Stanford (24-1) | John Tanner | 11-9 | Southern California | Pacific |
| 2022 | Stanford (25-2) | John Tanner | 10-7 | Southern California | Michigan |
| 2021 | Southern California (22-1) | Marko Pintaric | 18-9 | UCLA | UCLA |
| 2020 | Canceled due to Covid-19 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | Stanford (23-2) | John Tanner | 9-8 | Southern California | Stanford |
| 2018 | Southern California (26-1) | Jovan Vavic | 5-4 | Stanford | Southern California |
| 2017 | Stanford (23-3) | John Tanner | 8-7 | UCLA | IUPUI |
| 2016 | Southern California (26-0) | Jovan Vavic | 8-7 | Stanford | UCLA |
| 2015 | Stanford (24-2) | John Tanner | 7-6 | UCLA | Stanford |
| 2014 | Stanford (25-1) | John Tanner | 9-5 | UCLA | USC |
| 2013 | Southern California (27-1) | Jovan Vavic | 10-9 | Stanford | Harvard |
| 2012 | Stanford (26-2) | John Tanner | 6-4 | Southern California | San Diego State |
| 2011 | Stanford (28-1) | John Tanner | 9-5 | California | Michigan |
| 2010 | Southern California (25-3) | Jovan Vavic | 10-9 | Stanford | San Diego State |
| 2009 | UCLA (25-6) | Adam Krikorian | 5-4 | Southern California | Maryland |
| 2008 | UCLA (33-0) | Adam Krikorian | 6-3 | Southern California | Stanford |
| 2007 | UCLA (28-2) | Adam Krikorian | 5-4 | Stanford | Long Beach State |
| 2006 | UCLA (29-4) | Adam Krikorian | 9-8 | Southern California | UC Davis |
| 2005 | UCLA (33-0) | Adam Krikorian | 3-2 | Stanford | Michigan |
| 2004 | Southern California (29-0) | Jovan Vavic | 10-8 | Loyola Marymount | Stanford |
| 2003 | UCLA (23-4) | Adam Krikorian | 4-3 | Stanford | UC San Diego |
| 2002 | Stanford (23-2) | John Tanner | 8-4 | UCLA | Southern California |
| 2001 | UCLA (19-4) | Adam Krikorian | 5-4 | Stanford | Stanford |
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