NCAA Water Polo : Stanford Defeats Cal for Title, 9-6

California had powerful Stanford in treacherous waters for a half Sunday night, and then along came Craig Klass to the rescue.

Klass scored two of his four goals in the third quarter to break a 5-5 tie and the Cardinal went on to a 9-6 victory and the championship of the NCAA water polo tournament at Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool in Long Beach.

California’s 6-foot-5 goalie Jeff Brush had been a formidable obstacle in the first half, rising out of the water with his arms above his head to stop shots.

But in the third quarter, on a tip from Stanford Coach Dante Dattamanti, Klass shot low, squeezing the ball in the side of the goal, and Brush had no chance.

“One simple adjustment,” said Dettamanti, who swam around hugging his players after they threw him in the pool. It was Stanford’s second straight NCAA title and sixth in 12 years under Dettamanti.

The Cardinal finished 36-0 this season and has won 45 straight matches.

Klass, a senior from Walnut Creek, made his last college game one of his best.

“We worked hard all year,” Klass said. “We knew if we played well, we’d win.”

California, which lost to Stanford five times during the regular season, kept the Cardinal’s famed fastbreak at bay in the first quarter and led, 3-2, on three goals by Rich Ambridge, a freshman from Bedford, England.

But the Golden Bears could score only once in the second half.

“Defense definitely did it,” Dettamanti said. “We kind of wore them out.”

Todd Kemp took over in goal for Stanford in the second half and made some critical saves.

And Stanford finally picked up its offense.

“Mainly, it was Craig Klass by himself,” Dettamanti said. “He’s a real gutsy, power player. He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever had. He has to be the MVP.”