Men’s Water Polo
Today, 6 p.m. v. UCSD La Jolla, Calif. Saturday, noon v. Alumni
Rose Bowl Aquatics Center
Coming off a hard-fought victory against Stanford last weekend,
the UCLA men’s water polo team travels down to La Jolla today
to face the No. 4 UC San Diego Tritons. Tomorrow UCLA plays at the
Rose Bowl for the annual alumni contest.
Although tonight’s matchup against UCSD is a
non-conference meeting, it is still important. Come late November,
when seeding for the NCAA tournament takes place, the at-large
berth takes into account a team’s overall record. If the
Bruins remain No. 3 in the nation, they will have to rely on a
superior record to secure the spot. And building that superior
record continues tonight at 6 at UCSD’s Canyonview Pool.
If the Bruins lose to the Tritons, not only will it hurt their
national title chances, but it will be the first time in history
that it has happened.
“We are playing them in their element and this team is
good, if not better than last year’s team,” Krikorian
said. “We know it will be tough to get a win and we know it
will probably be a close game.”
Despite boasting a 43-0 record against UCSD, this season’s
Triton team may be the best in its history. It has the highest
national ranking ever in the history of its program.
The Tritons have lost only two of their 16 games, and in
attendance will likely be a couple thousand fans dying to see their
team climb up the national rankings.
“We are down in their house,” senior Logan Powell
said. “And it is definitely hard to beat anyone within the
top-ranked teams at their pool. We definitely need to gear up and
play a hard-fought battle down there.”
Despite the possibility of defeat, the Bruins are not
nervous.
“Nervous, no,” Powell said. “But we are
definitely focused.”
With six wins under their belt and highly productive practices
as of late, the Bruins have the confidence they need to secure the
victory and move a step closer to the NCAA tournament.
“They won’t roll over for us,” senior Will
Didinger said. “We will have to prepare for battle, and we
are preparing for it just as we would for any of the other top
teams.”
On a more lighthearted note, Bruin water polo players of the
past will show up Saturday to take on the Bruins of the present in
the annual alumni game. Preceding the slotted Arizona football
game, the match will take place at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center at
noon. Though the game will have no bearing on the team’s
national standing, it will likely open the gates for some bragging
rights on either side.
“It’s just a good time for everyone,” Didinger
said. “The older guys get to try and beat up on the younger
guys.”
With Krikorian and his assistant coaches Matt Flesher and
Brandon Brooks slotted to play for the alumni side, at least some
playful banter should result.
“I’m sure Brooks will be in the goal and Flesher
will be in the field,” Powell said.
“And, if it’s a special treat, we may see Adam
(Krikorian) out there with a cap on.”