Monday, January 6, 1997
WATER POLO:
Goalie Swanson leads team to fifth title, at expense of
first-ranked ‘SCBy Greg Calvert
Daily Bruin Contributor
LA JOLLA, Calif. — USC had the No. 1 ranking. But UCLA had
goalkeeper Matt Swanson, who turned out to be the difference in the
NCAA water polo title game Dec. 8 at UC San Diego.
Swanson, playing his final match, made 14 saves and was named
the tournament’s most valuable player as the Bruins won their
second consecutive championship, 8-7.
"Obviously, Matt Swanson was the key," UCLA head coach Guy Baker
said. "He’s always been the key to our success."
The Bruins (24-6) seemed to run away with the match in the first
quarter, when they jumped out to a 6-2 lead. Randy Wright’s
two-point field goal ignited the run.
However, the Trojans (23-3) fought back, climbing to within a
goal as the end neared.
In the final 35 seconds, USC, with a man advantage, had good
opportunity to tie, but Hrvoje Cizmic’s open shot passed wide of
the goal. UCLA controlled the ball as time expired.
Trojan fans were confident that their team would continue to
dominate this season’s collegiate competition, but seemed nervous
when UCLA showed up at UC San Diego’s Canyonview pool.
In a venue built to hold 1,400 spectators, 1,685 water polo fans
came out for the biggest game of the year. USC brought members of
the marching band, but the UCLA fans proved to be the loudest.
"The fans were great," Randy Wright said. "It’s a great
confidence boost to know that so many friends and family came out
to watch us."
As the clock expired, players, coaches and fans dove into the
pool in celebration of UCLA’s fifth NCAA title.
Bruin family and friends couldn’t snap enough photos as their
elation spilled into the parking lot. A season of dreadful lows and
unbelievable highs finally came to a close.
The UCLA Bruins remain at the top of collegiate water polo.
"(USC) played a good game, (but) not a great game," USC coach
John Williams said. "This is a very tough loss to this program …
we’ll be back."
Meanwhile, Swanson was ecstatic.
"I couldn’t imagine going out on a better note," he said. "This
is probably the sweetest victory I’ve ever had, because we were the
underdogs and everybody thought ‘SC would win."
When asked about his impressive performance in the cage, Swanson
replied honestly, "I haven’t played like that all season. My head
hadn’t really been into it. Until today."
Guy Baker brought his team into a cohesive unit in perfect time
for the upset of their ultimate rival, USC.
"We’re having a great time with this one because we’ve struggled
so much this season," Baker said with an uncontrollable grin.
Every UCLA player contributed to the fluid team play. Swanson’s
work in the cage, precision passing and intense defense kept the
Trojans struggling on both ends of the pool. Ultimately, their will
to win led the way.
Senior Jim Toring scored UCLA’s only fourth-quarter goal. He and
seniors Jeremy Braxton-Brown, who scored a goal, and Corbin Graham
were named first-team all-tournament.
Steve Covec came up huge with two goals. Brian Bent and Matt
Armato also scored for the Bruins.
The Bruins reached the championship game with a 18-6 victory
over UC Davis.
S. McLean/Scott Photo
UCLA head coach Guy Baker celebrates with men’s water polo team
after beating USC’s No. 1-ranked Trojans, 8-7, to win second
consecutive national championship.