No. 2 UCLA men’s water polo intent on reclaiming top spot
Despite losing two games in two weeks, UCLA men’s water polo has become a closer unit of late.
By Marion Patricio
Oct. 23, 2013 11:47 p.m.
The UCLA men’s water polo season is reaching its peak as there are just nine games left before the postseason, all but two being conference games. However, there is still time for the Bruins to redeem themselves after these past two less-than-successful weeks.
Following three weeks sitting in the No. 1 spot, UCLA gave it up when it lost 12-11 in double overtime to then-No. 2 USC in the SoCal Invitational championship game on Oct. 13 and then lost again last Saturday, falling to Stanford 8-6.
“This week, we’re going to have to spend time and do a lot of work to get back on track because we have two big conference games (coming up),” said coach Adam Wright.
Considering that many people believed the team would have a down year, having lost many of its core seniors from a year ago, UCLA has fared well, surpassing expectations.
Currently, UCLA is 19-2 overall, but has a 0-1 record in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference play after its loss to Stanford last Saturday.
Following the losses, redshirt junior goalkeeper James Hartshorne said the Bruins are more motivated to win back their No. 1 spot by focusing on making small improvements in numerous areas of their game.
“Something that has gotten us in trouble (in the past) was just sitting and waiting for the ball, so we want to work on being proactive with the press,” Hartshorne said.
Hartshorne identified their transition and counterattack as one area that needs a great deal of development.
“Our transition isn’t going every time like last year’s, all the way to the two-meter line,” he said. “The wings will sometimes rotate up when they don’t need to. We want them to stay deep so we can hold those defenders.”
At this point in the season, however, the team does feel like it is a lot more in sync than it was at the beginning of the season.
“Relationships are formed in the water and out of the water,” Wright said. “I see it here in the water now, the new guys are feeling more comfortable and the older guys are taking them under their wing.”
Now, the team has to look forward to its intense schedule starting with UC Irvine (11-6, 0-1 MPSF) and University of Pacific (14-2, 2-0) this weekend.
“This week, we’re just going to be focused on … preparing for UCI and UOP, for their best shooters and their best players and just being aware of every situation,” said senior utility Aimone Barabino.
