It was an easy weekend for the UCLA women’s water polo team. The Bruins pushed past the No. 12 Loyola Marymount Lions for a 13-6 win.
The No. 1 Bruins had just one team to battle this weekend, and did so brilliantly after travelling the short distance to LMU’s Burns Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Bruins (5-0) controlled the game from the moment the ball was put into play, scoring six goals in the first quarter while UCLA’s junior goalkeeper Brittany Fullen allowed just one goal. With the pattern set in motion, the Bruins remained in the lead throughout the entire game, never giving the Lions (0-1) a chance to catch up.
UCLA’s freshmen were active once again, proving their worth to the Bruin team. Freshmen Kelly Easterday and Priscilla Orozco both tallied goals against the Lions. However, it was the upperclassmen of the Bruin squad who led the way: Juniors Tanya Gandy and Katie Rulon scored three and two goals respectively, while seniors Jillian Kraus and Courtney Mathewson also had two goals apiece.
The Bruins were especially effective on the power play, scoring goals on all five of their 6-on-5 opportunities.
Although they had just one game this weekend, the Bruins don’t have a long lay-off before their next game. Tuesday afternoon UCLA hosts its first home game of the season, against No. 10 Hartwick College of New York at the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center.