By Rick Banks
Daily Bruin Contributor
Opposing coaches must be scratching their heads and wondering if
anyone got the license plate of the truck that is the UCLA men’s
water polo team.
Going into this weekend’s Air Force Tournament, the Bruins had
outscored their opponents 101-56. In their four games in Colorado,
they put 71 points on the board and gave up only 26.
"That’s a lot of offense for us," UCLA coach Guy Baker said.
"Our offense is getting more in sync."
For a team that is still getting into a groove, the Bruins have
done a lot of damage. Just ask the four victims at the Air Force
tournament.
In Saturday’s act-ion, UCLA defeated No. 10 UC Davis 15-7 and
then went on to down No. 8 Air Force by a score of 16-7.
"We were a little sluggish against Davis," Baker said. "We had
to get adjusted to the altitude."
Any sluggishness appeared to have worn off by Sunday’s games.
Against No. 18 Santa Clara, the Bruins won 20-8 and then went on to
finish out another perfect weekend, beating No. 9 UC San Diego,
20-4.
In their 10 consecutive wins, the Bruins have put up astonishing
offensive numbers, scoring 141 points while giving up a mere 68
points.
"A lot of guys have been scoring," Baker said. "It’s been pretty
balanced."
Lost in the offensive output is the improving play of the UCLA
defense. The team has been able to contain opposing offenses until
late in the game, giving themselves ample opportunity to put up the
big numbers.
"We haven’t quite been in tune defensively," Baker said. "Our
offense is based on how we’re playing defensively."
A key component of that defensive play is in goal. Senior goalie
Matt Swanson continues to live up to his billing as one of the top
net-minders in the game.
Swanson is quietly having himself another solid season. He has
come up big in two one-goal victories earlier this season, wins
over USC and Pacific.
Playing behind Swanson, freshman Parsa Bonderson has come along
nicely as the No. 2 man in net and has made the Bruin cage an
unfriendly place for opponents.
With things working out so well, Baker has been able to give his
younger players, like Bonderson, significant playing time this
season.
"A lot of our younger players are getting experience this year
that they haven’t gotten in the past," Baker said.
Just what the rest of the college ranks don’t want to see; a
more experienced Bruin team. They do get to rest up this weekend,
however. UCLA isn’t scheduled to play any games this week, save the
alumni game Saturday.