The USC men’s water polo team won its third straight national championship, defeating the California Golden Bears in Berkeley.

Four goals from junior Peter Kurzeka and a stubborn USC defense led to a 12-10 overtime win for the Trojans, who finished the year with a 28-2 record.

It is the 114th overall national championship for USC, whose water polo team becomes the first Trojan group to win three consecutive national championships since women’s tennis did so in 1978-80.

The last men’s water polo team to win three straight titles was Cal from 1990-92. Cal also was the last team to beat USC in a NCAA final with wins over the Trojans in 2006 and 2007.

USC avenged those losses with its performance up north. The Trojans trailed by one with five minutes to go in regulation before its defense dug in and silenced the Bears for the next 11 minutes of action.

Kurzeka, who put the finishing touches on the victory, was named the NCAA Tournament’s most valuable player.

More stories about: Championships, NCAA, Students, Water Polo