The player they call “Nasty” has brought back any
Bruin pride lost during a long month of March Madness.
The No. 1 UCLA women’s water polo team (18-3, 7-2 MPSF)
has held that prestigious title for three straight weeks, coasting
to 13 straight wins, and Natalie Golda has been the driving force
behind the Bruins’ success.
The center forward has jump-started the team’s potent
offense throughout the season, collecting a team-leading 41 goals
in just 74 shots ““ a 58 percent scoring efficiency.
“She is one of the most feared players in the country and
has the ability to score at any time,” UCLA head coach Adam
Krikorian said.
Nicknamed “Nasty” by her teammates, Golda has been
on a tear due to her intense approach to the game. She tallied five
goals this past weekend in victories over California and Pacific,
including a hat trick against the Tigers.
Other squads cannot double Golda because her teammates are fully
capable of doing damage, yet if they leave her alone, she can
single-handedly lead the Bruins to victory.
“Our opponents can’t drop off of any of our
players,” Golda said. “If they do, (they) can get open
and put the ball away.”
Over her three-year career, Golda has rarely been left uncovered
in the water as defenses see her as an offensive threat on every
possession.Â
“Natalie is an inspiration to everyone in the water. She
didn’t come in as a top player, but her work ethic helped her
climb the ladder,” freshman driver Rosie Carreras said.
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It’s not just their nasty offense that has UCLA’s
opponents reeling.
During the team’s winning streak, the Bruins have held
their opponents to 2.5 goals a game. Golda alone has averaged 2.2
goals per game during the Bruins’ impressive run.
“This is as good a defensive team that has ever been
here,” said Krikorian, who has led the Bruins to the national
title game the previous two seasons. “Limiting Cal to one
goal and USC to only three is unheard of.”
“Nobody can score on us,” he said.
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UCLA is still in third place in the MPSF standings behind USC
and Stanford, who will host the conference championships April
25-27.