The cliché “it’s not whether you win or lose;
it’s what you get out of it” definitely holds true for
the No. 5 UCLA water polo team (8-4).
Facing off against the U.S. National Team on Wednesday in Sunset
Recreation Center, the Bruins needed the mother of mercy on its
side after being trounced 27-9.
Head coach Adam Krikorian and junior center defender Ted Peck
definitely felt that they were outmatched from the start.
“We were like little boys amongst men,” Krikorian
said. “Those guys are like my age, and our guys just
haven’t matured physically yet.”
“The guys were the best college players in the country,
and now they play water polo for a living,” Peck said.
“They’re athletes that swim more, lift more and train
more than us, and it showed by them playing perfectly against
us.”
Playing against the National Team was a learning experience.
An experience that the Bruins hopefully will never forget.
“It gave us an idea of how we should play against other
college teams,” Peck said. “It will definitely prepare
us to play against all the collegiate teams out there. Better
competition for us means we become better players.”
Yet, losing by such a vast margin is the least on head coach
Adam Krikorian’s mind.
“We’ve taken positive things from our match by just
watching and playing against them,” Krikorian said.
Hopefully, our guys will get a better appreciation of physical
strength and swim speed and how important it is in water
polo.”
In six quarters, the U.S. National Team dominated all 42 minutes
and left little breathing room for UCLA.
Right from the start, the National Team jumped all over the
Bruins. Wolf Wigo of the National Team began the onslaught with two
goals within the first two minutes of play. Junior driver Peter
Belden finally put the Bruins on the board at the 2:43 mark after a
6-on-5 power play, but they trailed 4-1 heading into the second
quarter.
The National Team’s endurance, speed and strength
definitely were apparent throughout the match as it trounced the
Bruins in the next three periods, going on a 14-3 run.
Only two Bruins scored during that time: freshman center Grant
Zider, who scored twice; and junior driver Brett Ormsby, who
skipped a shot past former Bruin goalie Brandon Brooks.
Brooks, who graduated this past year, was more excited about
coming back home and playing against his former team than the nine
saves he recorded in limited action.
“It was a lot of fun, and it’s great being back in
Westwood. I love the Bruins and their program,” Brooks said.
“The team is looking better every week. They need to work
hard in everything, especially their practice intensity, because
the intensity you show during practice transcends into the
games.”