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Trojans Top No. 2 Bruins to Clinch Conference Title

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

It was difficult to overstate the importance of the outcome of Sunday’s water polo match between USC and UCLA.

Not only were the top-ranked Trojans playing host to their rivals, they defeated the No. 2 team in the nation, 9-6, and clinched the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular-season title.

“It was a great victory for us to start off this USC-UCLA week, but more important it probably gives us a berth in the NCAAs,” said John Williams, USC co-head coach.

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USC (20-1, 7-0) got four goals from Peter Janov, and Trojan goaltender Richard McEvoy made 11 saves against the Bruins (15-4, 6-2).

UCLA’s Parsa Bonderson made nine saves.

The Trojans opened quickly, as Marko Pintaric scored a two-pointer 30 seconds into the match. A goal by James Castle made it 3-0 before UCLA scored twice.

The Trojans finish MPSF play Tuesday at Long Beach State, then end the regular season with a match at UCLA Saturday that will not count in conference standings.

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THE MPSF tournament begins Nov. 27 at Corona Del Mar, with two of the league teams most likely advancing to the NCAA Final Four.

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