EDWARD LIN Senior defender Andrew Bailey
takes control in the men’s waterpolo 13-6 win over Pepperdine on
Sunday. Men’s Waterpolo UCLA d.
UCSB 11-3 UCLA d. Pepperdine 13-6
By Rekha Rao
Daily Bruin Contributor
The UCLA men’s water polo team continued their quest for a
repeat championship this weekend, with back-to-back victories over
UC Santa Barbara, 11-3, on Friday and a 13-6 win over rival
Pepperdine on Sunday.
On Friday, the No. 2-ranked Bruins started the game with a 6-0
run against the Gauchos in the first quarter.
“We have been emphasizing coming out strong at the
beginning of the game and not leaving everything for the
end,” said head coach Adam Krikorian.
The only goal UCLA’s sophomore goalie Brandon Brooks
allowed came at the end of the second quarter. Defensively, Brooks
leads the team by limiting their opponents to few goals in the
beginning quarters.
“We came out and knew what we needed to do. I think we
took care of business early and that is what gave us the
win,” Brooks said.
But the Bruins shut out the Gauchos in third, and led 10-1 going
into the fourth quarter.
On Sunday, UCLA used its hometown advantage to limit the
Pepperdine Waves to only six goals.
“We were emotionally charged, this was an important game
for us. We executed perfectly in the first quarter,”
Krikorian said.
Emotion and successful counter-attacks gave UCLA an optimistic
attitude and a strong showing over Pepperdine.
The Bruins controlled the Waves in the first quarter with an
early 8-2 lead, scoring on the first five possessions.
They continued their domination through the three remaining
quarters, slowly inching the score to 13-6 by the end of the
game.
Matt Flesher lead the team with three goals, all in the first
quarter.
“A lot of scoring goals is being at the right place at the
right time. Matt was on fire, but everyone was on fire,”
Krikorian said.
Flesher attributed his goals to his fellow players and the game
plan.
“The counter-attack was open, and I was the open guy. I
just got lucky,” Flesher said.
Brooks had 13 saves against the Waves and controlled the defense
from the goal.
“I take it one practice and game at a time. Without the
other players, I don’t matter at all,” Brooks said.
The Bruins are still missing co-head coach Guy Baker and senior
Sean Kerns because of the 2000 Olympic Games. In Sydney, Kerns has
scored three goals for the Olympic team.
Krikorian sees this team playing as well as the championship
team last year. With so many pre-season expectations, they have
rebounded from their last loss in the Southern California
Tournament, which was to No. 1 USC on Sept. 17.
“I think we are only going to get better. We are showing
the same hunger and desire to win it again,” Krikorian
said.
UCLA’s next game is away against USC on Oct. 7 at 10
a.m.