UCLA Has Perfect Timing

Blake Wellen scored with one second left in overtime to give top-seeded UCLA a 12-11 victory over second-seeded Stanford in the championship final of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s water polo championships at UC Irvine on Sunday.

With 25 seconds remaining, the score tied, 11-11, and UCLA up a man after the ejection of Stanford’s Michael Lipinski, Bruin Coach Guy Baker called timeout.

UCLA tried to spread out the Stanford defense, but couldn’t find an opening to drive on the Cardinal.

As the clock ticked down, former San Clemente High standout Andrew Bailey spotted Wellen, who fought his way open at two meters. With a quick flick, Bailey passed to Wellen, who popped the ball in the net. Wellen had tied the score with 57 seconds left in overtime.

“It was great to score the tying goal, but to also score the winning goal . . . I really don’t know what to say,” Wellen said.

The victory gave the Bruins a guaranteed berth in the four-team NCAA tournament, which will be held Friday and Saturday at UC San Diego. UCLA, Massachusetts, champion of the Collegiate Water Polo Assn., and UC San Diego, champion of the Western Water Polo Assn., have qualified for the tournament.

Stanford (21-5) is expected to receive the at-large berth.

“It seemed like a perfect end,” Baker said. “The No. 1 seed and No. 1 going at it for the title and to win in the last second. It was a fitting end.”

It was the first conference title since 1975 for the Bruins (20-3), who won back-to-back NCAA titles in 1995 and 1996.

The lead changed eight times in Sunday’s game. UCLA’s Bailey scored a two-point goal, followed by a goal by former Brea Olinda standout Matt Flesher, which gave the Bruins a 4-2 first-quarter lead.

But Stanford’s pressing defense shut down UCLA in the second quarter and the Cardinal took a 6-4 lead on goals by Jeff Nesmith (a two-pointer), Lipinski and Dan Yeilding.