After the disappointment of last weekend’s heartbreaking
double-overtime loss to USC, the UCLA men’s water polo team
responded this weekend in the biggest way possible.
During a grueling 4-game, 2-day tournament in Berkeley, the
Bruins claimed the NorCal tournament title fittingly beating USC
6-3 in the final match.
That No. 7 UCLA had enough energy to contend for the title
deserves merit alone, as the first three games were by no means a
walk in the park.
“All four of our games were really tough,” said
coach Adam Krikorian. “Fortunately, the defense stepped up
all weekend.”
UCLA (6-3) beat Princeton 12-10 in the opener, and took care of
Pacific 9-8 on a late goal in their second Saturday game. The
Bruins beat No. 2 UC Irvine 7-5 in the semifinal Sunday
morning.
This grueling schedule, along with the rivalry with USC, led to
a final that sophomore driver Josh Hewko described as having an
“atmosphere like a war.”
“Both teams were very tired,” said Krikorian.
“There was so much emotion that both teams had to dig
deep.”
The defense, led by senior goaltender and 2000 first-team All
American Brandon Brooks, contained the high-powered USC offense to
a remarkable three goals. Brooks culminated a long weekend with his
best performance of the tournament, making 15 saves.
“We jumped to a lead in the first quarter and carried it
through the rest of the game,” said Krikorian. “After
losing last week ““ to get out to a positive start from the
beginning was great.”
A younger squad than last year’s senior-laden team, the
Bruins are still searching for consistency, but the tournament
title shows evidence that they are beginning to peak.
“We were slow in the beginning of the year because we were
working out so hard,” said freshman defender Mike March.
The four games helped establish who the leaders of this
year’s team will be. Along with Mountain Pacific Sports
Federation save leader Brooks, last season’s leading scorer,
sophomore driver Brett Ormsby, led the team in tournament
goals.
“We now have the momentum,” emphasized Hewko,
“and we have to keep it going.”