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Even without reigning Player of the Year Ben Hallock and two other top players, the Stanford men’s club water polo team played well enough to beat the New York Athletic Club over the weekend to earn the championship of the competitive Men’s Senior Nationals at Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo.
Cardinal senior Bennett Williams and junior Tyler Abramson, fresh from playing for the U.S. in the World University Games, each scored three goals to lead Stanford past NYAC 13-12 in the final, avenging an earlier loss.
Stanford beat two-time defending champion Alumni 9-8 in the semifinals while NYAC beat the Olympic Club, 12-10.
In addition to playing without three key members, Stanford was up against Olympians and former All-Americans in the semis and finals.
Bret Bonanni, who scored three goals for NYAC, is both a Stanford grad and Olympian. Alex Roelse and Josh Samuels are also Olympians. Lucas Gielen plays for the Netherlands national team. Olympic Club’s Jackson Kimbell is another Cardinal grad.
NYAC took a 3-0 lead before Stanford got on the board and led 7-4 at halftime. Goalie Andrew Chun, last year’s back-up, recorded a save on a five-meter shot that helped ignite a Stanford rally that tied the score at 8-8.
Bonnani scored the game’s next two goals to give NYAC a 10-8 edge. Abramson and Williams, assisted by AJ Rossman, scored the tie the game before Quinn Woodhead gave Stanford the lead at 12-11. Sacred Heart Prep grad Larsen Weigle made it 13-11 with 25 seconds remaining.
Woodhead and SHP alum Andrew Churukian each added two goals for Stanford. Beck Jurasius and Parker Killon also scored.
Abramson scored four goals in the semifinal win, including a goal assisted by Williams with 2:28 remaining to play to put Stanford ahead, 9-6.
Weigle scored the game-winner with 1:02 remaining to play in a 15-14 victory over the Golden Bears.
Gunn grad Calder Hilde-Jones scored four goals, including the game-winner with 35 seconds left in Sunset San Diego’s 12-11 win over Davis.