It’s become somewhat of a banal routine for the Bruins,
hearing the final horn, then trotting over to the losing team, and
sticking out their hands in acknowledgement of a good game.
After dismantling No. 3 Stanford 9-5 in the Mountain Pacific
Sports Federation championship game, the UCLA women’s water
polo team clinched its 30th consecutive victory, the most ever in
school and NCAA history.
“It was just another win,” sophomore driver Kelly
Rulon said. “Nothing really exciting. We know that
there’s still unfinished business, and we’re going to
hold back until we accomplish that.”
That unfinished business is the NCAA Championship, and
it’s the reason why the undefeated Bruins didn’t let
feelings of elation overtake them despite capturing their second
conference championship in six years.
What has gotten the team more excited than anything else is
knowing that the end is nearing.
“I just feel like this is when we are going to
shine,” UCLA coach Adam Krikorian said. “This is what
we’ve been waiting for all season. This moment ““ the
postseason, the MPSFs, NCAAs.”
“The whole regular season I thought we played well, but I
don’t think teams necessarily saw our best, and we’re
getting there. And in two weeks we’ll be there.”
The conference tournament, held in Berkeley, proved to be a
statement weekend. While opposing teams have expressed that the
Bruins can be beat, UCLA dispelled any signs of weakness over the
weekend.
Against a No.4 Hawai’i team, which had given the Bruins a
difficult time in their past two meetings, UCLA took the Rainbow
Wahine for a ride in the semifinal match, trouncing them 10-5.
As for the Cardinal (20-6), who defeated No. 2 USC for the first
time this year in the conference semifinals, the Bruins also
disposed of them easily.
With the decisive wins, players feel that opponents can’t
help but feel doubt everytime they jump into the pool with the
Bruins.
“Teams are definitely scared of us,” said sophomore
goalie Emily Feher, who finished with seven saves against Stanford
and 19 total throughout the tournament.
“Beating teams the way we did really gives us a good
mental advantage. It just seems like we’re clicking at the
moment. Our defense, shooting and our counterattack are so strong
that teams are hesitant to shoot against us, and we can take
advantage of that.”
During Sunday’s match, the Cardinal found that out.
Holding its opponents scoreless in the first period the previous
two games, Stanford found itself in an unfamiliar position against
the Bruins down 6-2. Seven different players scored for the Bruins,
with sophomore defender Molly Cahill leading the way with a
game-high three goals.
“Everybody has the utmost confidence in everyone
else,” senior captain Natalie Golda said. “Molly had a
breakout game. I’m exceptionally proud of Molly and all
she’s done, taking on the role of a defender and now
she’s shooting ball like she’s supposed to.”
Despite recording an aggregate of 40 saves in the tournament,
Stanford goalie Meridith McColl had a difficult time halting or
even slowing down the Bruin onslaught.
And with the success that Feher had for UCLA, Stanford never
could muster any type of run down the stretch.
Now it may seem like a waiting game for UCLA. There is a
two-week layoff before the NCAA Tournament begins, but for
Krikorian and the Bruins, the end of the season means one
thing.
“Now the fun begins,” he said.