LOS ANGELES – It isn't just the NCAA that has to deal with the powerhouse that is the California men's water polo program – the rest of the water polo world has to as well.

Three Golden Bears made their presence felt with Team USA at the 2023 World Aquatics Men's Water Polo World Cup, which took place this past weekend on home soil on the campus of USC. Cal alumni Johnny Hooper and Luca Cupido combined for six goals over three matches, while current Cal starting goalkeeper and three-time ACWPC All-American Adrian Weinberg came up huge each and every night, averaging nine saves per game.

In Sunday's wild Bronze Medal match against Hungary, Hooper and Cupido scored two goals apiece and Weinberg led the team in saves for the third straight game. After it was initially believed that Team USA lost the match in a penalty shootout, a bizarre turn of events caused the final 4:24 of the match to be replayed. The game resumed nearly two hours later following a successful appeal for an early re-entry by an excluded Hungary player. Weinberg remained sharp in the cage, making two huge saves late to keep Hungary off the board and help secure a 14-13 win.

The Bears also stepped up in a big way in Friday's thrilling 10-9 come-from-behind victory over Serbia in the quarterfinal round. Despite trailing 9-6 entering the final frame, Weinberg became a brick wall, preserving a timely fourth-quarter shutout and finishing with 15 saves. Hooper notched his first of two braces for the weekend by firing in a penalty to make it a one-goal game midway through the fourth. Team USA ended the game on a 4-0 run to steal the win.

This was the second straight summer that Weinberg has put together a standout performance for Team USA, following his 28-save showing at the 2022 FINA World Championships. After also being a part of Team USA's World Cup Qualifier roster back in March, all three Bears will have a chance to continue making their mark for the national team at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships on July 16-29 in Fukuoka, Japan.



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