Wednesday, April 2, 1997
W. WATERPOLO:
Team goes on 15-1 rampage without two startersBy Sam Toussi
Daily Bruin Contributor
For those who don’t know, the UCLA women’s water polo team
(15-1) is pretty frightening. They proved their monster power last
week as they outscored their opponents 31-15.
The only close game the team played was against San Diego State
University as they went to overtime and won 8-7. Junior Catherine
von Schwarz scored the winning goal.
They went on to clobber USC, taking a commanding 7-0 lead before
substituting and allowing four goals in the second half of the
fourth quarter.
The next course on the Bruins’ menu was the University of
Massachusetts. The hapless visitors soon felt miserable for making
the trip after the Bruins won by a score of 16-4.
What’s more, the Bruins aren’t even at full strength. Though two
of UCLA’s starters are out with injuries, they continue to roll on.
When asked if there was anything he was dissatisfied with about the
team, Coach Guy Baker could only say, "Well, we’re not at full
strength."
Starting junior goalkeeper Nicolle Payne has sat out the last 10
games but is expected back Friday for another matchup against USC
at 4 p.m.
And junior driver Stephanie Natcher has sat out all season due
to a torn rotator cuff in her shoulder. She may return for the game
this Friday and will definitely return by the Mountain Pacific
Sports Federation tournament, which will be held April 11-13.
Natcher, a two-year starter, will bring her 18 goals and
team-high 75 percent shooting percentage back to the team when she
makes her first appearance of the season.
Payne and Natcher will return to the lineup just in time for the
team’s stretch run toward the collegiate championships May 9-11 in
Ann Arbor, Mich.
"When (Payne and Natcher) come back, we’ll be fully intact for
the first time all season," Coach Baker said.
A "fully intact" team? Now that is scary.
"When (Payne and Natcher) come back, we’ll be fully intact for
the first time."
Guy Baker
Head Coach