Men’s NCAA Water Polo: Bruins Roar at NorCal Tourney

BERKELEY, CA., Oct. 6. THE Bruins are definitely NOT in ruins.

UCLA's men's water polo team, NCAA champs in 1999-2000 and runners-up to Stanford last season, bounced back from a double-overtime loss to USC last weekend to capture the NorCal Tournament today at Cal's Spieker Aquatics Complex.

UCLA scored a 6-3 win over the Trojans for the title, after having defeated U Cal Irvine, 7-5, in one of the tourney's semi-finals. The other semi saw SC topple Stanford, 8-6, to set up yet another "Battle of the Titans."

With its win, UCLA takes the lead in the Gauntlet Trophy standings and improves its record to 7-3 overall (2-1 over SC).

Top-ranked Stanford (12-2) defeated Coach Ed Newlin's Irvine Anteaters, 9-6 for third as sophomore Tony Azevedo scored four goals. Fifth went to host Cal, which defeated Pepperedine, 8-6.

Coach Terry Schroeder's Pepperdine Waves handed Stanford's Cardinal its initial loss a week ago in Malibu.

With both of their previuos meetings against the Trojans having been decided in overtime, the Bruins toook charge early today. UCLA built a 3-1 lead
over its crosstown rival in the first period.

After the opening-period, each team's defense took over, with each allowing only one goal per quarter for the rest of the contest. Much of UCLA's success can be attributed to the stellar play of three-time All-American goalkeeper Brandon Brooks, who recorded a season-high 16 saves and shut out the Trojans in the final period.

As he had done throughout the weekend, Bruin sophomore driver Brett Orsmby spearheaded his club's attack with two goals, while Ted Peck and Albert Garcia scored twice apiece. Ormsby led all Bruin scorers over the weekend with 13 goals.

In the morning match, UCLA followed its familiar game-plan and led the Anteaters 5-2 at the half. However, UC Irvine would not surrender, rallying with three goals in the final period. But the steady Bruin attack, which scored in each period of the second half, gave the winners the win. Ormsby led all attackers with three goals, while Peck maintained his dominance at center with two goals. Garcia and Josh Hewko also found the back of the net.

The Bruins will host their first matches of the season when Pepperdine, which finished sixth in the tournament, comes to Sunset Canyon Recreation Center for a 10:00 AM (PDT) Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match on Saturday, Oct. 12. The following day, Loyola Marymount visits for a noon non-conference match.

— Bill Bell

MEN'S NCAA DIVISION 1 WATER POLO
NORCAL TOURNAMENT
SPIEKER AQUATIC COMPLEX
BERKELEY, CA., OCT. 6

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BOX SCORE

TEAM SCORE BY QUARTERS

USC (12-3) 1-1-1-0 — 3
UCLA (7-3) 3-1-1-1 — 6

USC Goals: Zatovic 2, Hewko
UCLA Goals: Peck 2, Garcia 2, Ormsby 2

USC Saves: Damjanovic 10
UCLA Saves: Brooks 16

GAME 31 (THIRD-PLACE)

Stanford (12-2) 2-3-2-2 — 9
UC Irvine (8-4) 1-2-2-1 — 6

Stanford Goals: Azevedo 4, Gallogly, Guyman, Hopkins, Nesmith, Derse
UC Irvine Goals: Fisher 2, Barry 2, Powers, Gentry

Stanford Saves: Ellis 14
UC Irvine Saves: Finfrock 11

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