The University of Pacific is nothing more than a school in
Stockton. Nonetheless, the No. 5 UCLA men’s water polo team
goes north Saturday in need of a victory in order to flush out its
postseason fortune.
The No. 7 Tigers are 10-11 overall ““ subpar for water
polo. The team isn’t all that impressive, but this matchup is
imperative.
“We’re just trying to get on the right page,”
senior defenseman Dan Yielding said. “We’re never
thinking about a loss, but a win, and one this weekend.”
The Bruins (11-7, 3-4 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) look
forward to the MPSF tournament in the next couple weeks. And this,
their last conference match, determines where the Bruins place.
If UCLA wins, it will be seeded either fifth or sixth, and play
USC or Cal in the first round. If the team loses, it will be seeded
seventh and will definitely play No. 1 Stanford.
Regardless of this weekend, the Bruins’ destiny is not so
pleasant.
“Pick your poison,” UCLA head coach Adam Krikorian
said of the tournament possibilities.
But, he was more optimistic about this weekend’s game.
“We’re upset with last week’s play and that may
have been our wake up call,” he said.
The Bruins are banking on a win because they have had better
luck with the Trojans and the Bears in the past. They would like to
avoid playing the Cardinal, against whom they are 0-6 the last two
years.
“This tournament is our ultimate fate,” junior
driver Albert Garcia said. “We’re just coming out here
looking for wins.”
The Bruins beat Pacific earlier in the season 9-8, and have a
21-3 record against the Tigers, lifetime.
Nonetheless, Pacific also has a 3-4 conference record, making
this a competitive matchup on paper.
“Stockton is a very difficult environment,”
Krikorian said. “There’s definitely no momentum for
us.”
The Bruins have seen their share of upsets, including four this
season. The team would like to avoid a fifth and final one,
especially when it matters most.