Gauchos drowned by Bruin defense in 10-5 win

Monday, April 8, 1996

W. water polo still undefeated, head into tournamentsBy Mark J.
Dittmer

Daily Bruin Contributor

The UCLA women’s water polo team came home safely from their
trip to Santa Barbara, securing their fourth victory over UC Santa
Barbara on Saturday.

The Bruins start the second half of their season this weekend
still undefeated, at 16-0. They also finished a perfect MPSF
regular season, with a 6-0 record in the conference.

The final score in Santa Barbara was 10-5, but it wasn’t that
close ­ the Gauchos scored three of their goals in the last
few minutes of the game. Oftentimes, a 10-5 win is cause for worry
among the Bruins ­ this was a 10-5 victory the Bruins could
live with.

"I think we gave one of our better efforts," said Catherine von
Schwarz, who was part of a well-balanced offensive effort. But it
may have been on the defensive side of the pool where the Bruins
really won the game.

Led by Katie Tenenbaum, Mandy McAloon and Jennifer McFerrin, the
UCLA defense held the Gauchos to two goals going into the last few
minutes of play. Impressively, the Bruin defense neutralized the
Gauchos’ left-handed inside player, Suzanne Eskilson.

Eskilson was reduced to a non-factor, except for where she got a
few kick-outs. Those few times where she got UCLA players sent out
of the game, temporarily, happened on what some Bruin players
thought were questionable calls.

Overall, the Bruins are at least satisfied with the win.

"It probably should have been a bigger win," junior Molly Barnes
said. "But it seemed like we had a balanced effort, and everybody
played well."

The Gauchos stayed within reach for much of the game, only
trailing 4-1 at halftime. But the Bruins jumped out of the gate in
the second half, eventually building a 10-2 lead.

Neither Barnes nor anybody else wanted to single out any players
as playing above the rest. This continues the current trend of
balance on the team. Everyone just keeps playing well for the
Bruins.

After Saturday’s game, all of UCLA’s remaining games will be
part of tournaments. The Bruins play the MPSF tournament this
coming weekend. Two weeks later, they play in the Western
Qualifying Tournament, and should they advance there, they play in
the national championships beginning May 11 at UC Davis.

The Bruins start the second half of their season this weekend
still undefeated … They also finished a perfect MPSF regular
season.