UCLA focuses on scoring execution

After a weekend sweep, the No. 3 UCLA women’s water polo
team (14-2, 5-0 MPSF) returns home to Sunset Canyon Recreation
Center to face No. 8 Arizona State on Saturday and No. 7 San Diego
State on Sunday, both with 1 p.m. start times. In mid-February, the
Bruins defeated ASU (2-0 MPSF) 14-5 at the Stanford Invitational
and have yet to face SDSU (2-1 MPSF) this season. “This
weekend will be good for us,” UCLA coach Adam Krikorian said.
“They are not as good as the top-five teams in the nation,
but they’re at the peak of that next level where
they’ll be able to compete and make us work for our
win.” The Bruins will have plenty to work off of Saturday as
they ousted Cal (6-4), Cal State San Bernardino (13-1) and UC San
Diego (7-1) this past weekend with scoring contributions made
throughout the roster. “I was happy with our play defensively
over the weekend,” Krikorian said. “We’re doing
really good by making it very difficult for teams to score. That
part I really like.” Headed by junior All-American goalkeeper
Emily Feher, the team has solidified a strong defense as its
backbone. “We’re looking really sharp
defensively,” Feher said. “It is definitely our
strength right now.” The part Krikorian feels still needs
improvement is the Bruin offense. “We’re struggling to
find the opening offensively,” Krikorian said. “We
aren’t executing as well as we should.” The need to
focus on scoring execution may seem surprising as the Bruins scored
a combined 26 goals last weekend alone and have scored 10 points or
more in over half their games. But in games such as those against
USC and Stanford (both losses) when the need for execution is
vital, the Bruins have not measured up to their potential.
“It’s important to perfect our game,” Feher said.
“We’ll spend time working on fundamentals.” With
a month until UCLA faces USC on April 8, the Bruins have plenty of
time to fine-tune their offensive prowl. With the gap in their
schedule during which UCLA does not face the toughest competition,
there is pressure to stay focused where lesser caliber teams fail
to pose a large threat. “I’m not worried about our
focus,” Krikorian said. “It might be tough to stay
focused if we were in last year’s shoes, but with two losses
already, we won’t have a problem.”

ROWE RETURNS: After suffering from injury,
sophomore center forward Brittany Rowe is back in the water
practicing with the team. Rowe, a San Diego native, notched 36
goals last season, including two in the 3-2 NCAA championship
victory against Stanford. “We’re still good without
Brittany in the pool,” Krikorian said. “But with her
back, we can be even better.” It is uncertain whether Rowe
will play against ASU and SDSU this weekend, but her return will
likely be noticed once she does make it back into play.
“We’re going to play it by ear,” said Krikorian
on Rowe’s status. “We are certainly glad to have her
back practicing.”

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