The gloomy weather at USC’s Uytengsu Aquatic Center seemed to foretell the disappointing result of Saturday’s crosstown showdown. With a light rain drizzling intermittently on the stands and the pool, the exciting rivalry match ended in a 8-5 loss for UCLA women’s water polo.
The No. 1 Trojans (18-0, 4-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) scored early in the match, with senior center India Forster answering for the No. 2 Bruins (20-3, 3-1) shortly afterwards. Once USC notched its second goal toward the end of the first quarter, however, UCLA spent the rest of the match fighting from behind.
USC’s Brigitta Games and Melissa Bergesen netted two more goals in the first half, making the score 4-1. Working to overcome the deficit, senior defender Charlotte Pratt found the back of the net before the end of the second quarter, cutting the lead to 4-2 at halftime.
The Bruins were able to put three more points on the board in the second half, with goals from junior attacker Ashley Zwirner, freshman Lizette Rozeboom and junior utility Mackenzie Barr.
However, UCLA’s momentum was cut short each time by USC, which continued to put heavy pressure on the Bruin defense to score another four goals in the second half.
“Shooting off of a pass really caught us off-guard,” Zwirner said. “We missed some of our shot blocking, so they were able to get past us.”
Senior goalkeeper Alex Musselman started in goal for the Bruins, tallying three saves before being replaced by freshman Carlee Kapana, who finished with one stop.
Despite outshooting USC 24-18, UCLA was unsuccessful in breaking through the Trojan defense. Aside from field blocks that stopped many of the Bruins’ shots, Trojan goalkeeper Amanda Longan proved a significant challenge – posting 13 saves and two steals.
“I think as a team, sometimes we come out and we’re a little too frantic just because we’re so excited to play,” Pratt said. “Especially in a big game like that, showing poise is something that’s really important. I think we did a good job of that at the beginning and keeping our composure. It might have gone away a little from us in the fourth quarter.”
Following the match, UCLA coach Brandon Brooks noted that his team kept pace as best it could despite the offensive onslaught from USC.
“I thought that the fight from our team was great,” said Brooks. “We didn’t execute well, but the focus and intensity in practice all week was good.”
All three of UCLA’s losses come at the hands of top-ranked USC. Following Saturday’s conference match, the Trojans continue their perfect record this season.
“They were able to get some big goals when they needed them and we gave up some goals when we needed stops,” Brooks said. “That’s how you lose games.”