After playing seven matches on the road, the UCLA men’s
water polo team is coming home.
Eventually.
First, they must once again travel to take on UC San Diego on
Friday. Then, on Sunday, UCLA will open its home schedule by
hosting UC Irvine.
After defeating Loyola Marymount this past weekend and finishing
seventh at the So Cal Tournament in Irvine, the No. 5 UCLA
men’s water polo team looks to improve its 3-3 record against
No. 6 UCSD (7-3) in its hostile home-pool environment.
The Tritons will be no easy match, as they are coming off a
fifth place finish at the So Cal Tournament. UC San Diego trailed
both LMU and Long Beach State going into the fourth quarter but was
able to secure a late victory in both matches.
The Bruins open their home schedule this Sunday as they host the
No. 7 Anteaters (5-5) at noon in the Sunset Canyon Recreation
Center.
Irvine placed ninth at the So Cal Tournament but proved they can
play with the elite teams in the nation. After a turbulent start,
Irvine lost to Long Beach State, 8-7, and eventual champion USC,
10-9. The narrow margin of defeat could spell trouble for UCLA.
The Bruins must do a better job of defending their home pool
advantage, as they were only 4-6 at home last season, second worst
in the MPSF conference.
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
The UCLA defense will need to be on watch for UC San Diego
junior Jonathan Hopkins this Friday. Hopkins posted eight goals in
four tournament matches for the Tritons, including five in the
fifth-place match against Long Beach State.
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
Junior driver Brett Ormsby leads the Bruins in scoring, posting
14 goals in six matches.