This post was updated Oct. 4 at 2:17 p.m.
The undefeated Bruins will put their perfect record on the line as they take on their closest competitors in the battle to keep their number one spot.
No. 1 UCLA men’s water polo (13-0) and No. 3 Stanford (11-1) are set to meet for the first time this season as the two of the top-ranked teams. Last season, the Cardinal managed to edge out the Bruins during the MPSF tournament’s third place matchup in an 11-10 double overtime win. Following Stanford, UCLA will face off against No. 5 California (8-4) for the second time this season.
Common rivals, the Bay Area teams have been a thorn in the Bruins’ side for many years. Last season saw a nearly perfect record collapse following the Bruins’ 13-11 championship loss against the Golden Bears. With the No. 1 spot once again, practice is where the Bruins hope to ward off any stains on their perfect record.
“What you do Monday through Friday is what you see on the weekend,” said freshman attacker Ryder Dodd. “We just nail down during the week – we’ll be in a better place going into the weekend.”
On Saturday, the Bruins defeated No. 15 Loyola Marymount (4-6) 21-8 and later beat Air Force (9-8) 21-10.
Led by Dodd with six goals, redshirt junior utility Eli Liechty also added three goals, with both players reaching personal season highs.
“I think they’re doing a great job pulling people away,” Dodd said. “Obviously, that’s one of the main reasons I score, and … I think it’s my work ethic. I go back to it every time, and if I’m willing to put in 110% for each shot, I have a very high percentage.”
Against the Falcons, the Bruins saw 12 players contribute to the scoring, with Dodd leading the team scored five goals and two assists.
“We have good depth,” said coach Adam Wright. “Some more people are out and putting us in a position to really get guys more minutes that are going to need those minutes at the back end of the year.”
Redshirt junior attacker Trey Doten matched his career-high with three goals against Air Force. With series leads against both the Golden Bears and Cardinals, the Bruins’ preparation is focused on containing any leads that may come up.
“Our emphasis is always our defense and our counterattack,” Doten said. ”We really try to push the counterattack and force other teams to play on their heels and good positioning on defense, to make sure that we keep them low in goals.”
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