LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Washington & Jefferson College men's water polo team dropped its quarterfinals game of the MPSF Championships against defending champion UCLA Friday afternoon at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center on the campus of USC. The Bruins, who are currently ranked No. 2 in Division I men's water polo, topped the Presidents by a 25-1 score. 

W&J is making its first-ever appearance in the MPSF Championships. The Presidents will face MPSF East foe Austin College in action Saturday at 2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT. The 'Roos fell by a 30-3 score to the host Trojans in quarterfinal round action Friday. 

UCLA led 7-0 after the first quarter before building a 12-0 advantage at halftime. W&J was able to get on the board in the third quarter as junior Chris Edwards (Bexley, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) found the back of the cage. The Edwards goal was assisted by senior Alex Lee (Los Angeles, Calif./Eagle Rock). 

Senior goalkeeper Caine Dusza (Souderton, Pa./Souderton) made four saves in goal. Freshman Isaac Kay (Aptos, Calif./Santa Cruz) relieved Dusza and made two saves. 

W&J head coach Nikola Malezanov talked about the opportunity to compete against UCLA, who entered the weekend as the defending MPSF champions and a 12-time NCAA Champion who claimed the national title as most recently as 2020-21. 

"Even though the score shows a difference in skill and abilities, it takes nothing away from the character we showed," he said. " We are having a great experience and being a part of this event is amazing for our program. On top of that, we get to compete against the best of the best."