Newport Harbor Girls Lead Team USA to Dominant Win Over Australia

Key Takeaways:

• The U.S. Men’s Senior National Team defeated Australia 17-9, with Ryder Dodd scoring five goals and Adrian Weinberg making 13 saves.
• The Newport Harbor High School girls’ water polo team finished third at the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, defeating Orange Lutheran 14-11.
• The girls’ high school water polo scene in Southern California is highly competitive, with teams like Newport Harbor, Oaks Christian, and Mater Dei establishing themselves as top contenders.
• The region’s top teams will continue to face off in upcoming tournaments, including the Newport Invitational, as they prepare for the postseason.

Introduction to Southern California Water Polo
What a week it’s been for Southern California water polo! From the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team’s dominant showing against Australia to the drama and resilience on display in the girls’ Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, fans have been treated to a showcase of skill, grit, and a few surprises along the way. The region’s water polo scene is thriving, with top-notch competition and exciting storylines that just keep building. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team’s victory over Australia, the Newport Harbor High School girls’ water polo team’s third-place finish at the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, and the overall state of girls’ high school water polo in Southern California.

U.S. Men’s Senior National Team Dominates Australia
The U.S. Men’s Senior National Team set the tone for their two-game series against Australia with a resounding 17-9 victory on January 10, 2026. The Americans wasted no time making a statement, jumping out to a 5-1 lead after the first quarter and never letting up. Ryder Dodd was nearly unstoppable, racking up five goals to lead all scorers, while Marko Vavic chipped in three of his own. In goal, Adrian Weinberg was a wall, tallying 13 saves to keep the Australians at bay. Team USA’s offensive onslaught was evident from the start, with Dodd and Ryan Ohl opening the scoring, and after Australia answered from five meters, the Americans rattled off three more goals courtesy of Dominic Brown, Vavic, and Dylan Woodhead. The second period saw more of the same, with Vavic’s slick backhand and goals from Dodd and Ben Liechty pushing the lead even further. By halftime, the Americans held a commanding 10-3 advantage, thanks in part to Dodd’s buzzer-beater just before the break.

Newport Harbor High School Girls’ Water Polo Team Finishes Third
Meanwhile, up the coast in Santa Barbara, the girls’ high school scene was nothing short of electric. The Newport Harbor High School girls’ water polo team rebounded from a tough semifinal loss to claim third place at the prestigious Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions. The Sailors, now boasting a 16-3 season record, fell to Oaks Christian 10-7 in the semifinals before bouncing back to defeat Orange Lutheran 14-11 in a spirited third-place match. Junior Valery Verdugo was the star, putting up four goals—three of which came on penalty shots. Her senior sister, Sophia Verdugo, added two goals, while junior center Gabby Alexson and junior attacker Emerson Mulvey, both named to the all-tournament team, combined for five goals. Senior goalkeeper Sunny Brown chipped in with seven crucial saves to help secure the win.

Girls’ High School Water Polo Scene in Southern California
The girls’ high school water polo scene in Southern California is highly competitive, with teams like Newport Harbor, Oaks Christian, and Mater Dei establishing themselves as top contenders. The region’s top teams have all established themselves as the cream of the crop, with each squad advancing to the semifinals of both the Bill Barnett Holiday Cup and the Santa Barbara TOC this season. The semifinal against Oaks Christian saw Newport Harbor lead 5-3 at halftime, but they struggled offensively in the second half, scoring just twice. The Lions’ zone defense stifled Alexson, who was held scoreless, and Oaks Christian capitalized on six of their thirteen power-play chances. However, Newport Harbor’s journey to third place included a 15-8 quarterfinal win over JSerra, where Ting had three goals and three assists, and a 12-2 rout of Los Alamitos in the opening round.

Upcoming Tournaments and Postseason
Looking ahead, Newport Harbor will host the Newport Invitational in two weeks—another chance for the region’s top teams to test themselves as the postseason looms. For Team USA, the focus shifts to closing out their series against Australia, with fans eager to see if Ryder Dodd and company can replicate their dominant form. The energy, competition, and storylines in Southern California water polo just keep building—and with so much still to play for, the excitement isn’t letting up anytime soon. The region’s top teams will continue to face off in upcoming tournaments, and fans can expect to see some thrilling matches as the postseason approaches. With the level of competition and skill on display, it’s an exciting time for water polo in Southern California.