Women’s water polo holds No. 1 spot after defeating Hawai’i, SDSU

The UCLA women’s water polo team traveled to Honolulu for a weekend for an exhibition shootout with the Brazilian national team and games against Hawai’i and San Diego State. No. 1 UCLA recorded an 11-6 victory over No. 6 Hawai’i Friday, then followed with a 13-4 triumph over San Diego State Saturday. The wins brought the Bruins’ win streak to 10 games dating back to Feb. 13.

UCLA began the weekend with stiff competition against Hawai’i on Friday. The two teams remained tied until the middle of the second quarter, when the Bruins managed to break away and gain a four-point lead by the end of the first half. While the Rainbow Wahine fought to close the gap with four second-half goals, the Bruins answered and maintained their lead. Junior attacker Rachel Fattal led UCLA in scoring with four goals, followed by senior attacker Emily Donohoe with a hat trick.

Donohoe said the team stayed focused in Hawaii, as hard as it is to do in paradise.

“We really try to just stay focused on ourselves and the way we’re playing no matter who we’re up against or where we are,” Donohoe said.

The pressure of competition loosened Saturday, as the Bruins got out to an early 7-0 lead against the Aztecs and never lost that grip. Nine different players contributed to the Bruins’ 13 goals, including top scorer for the game, freshman utility Alexis Angermund who put away three goals.

Although the Bruin offense prevailed during the weekend’s matchups, UCLA fell short in an exhibition shootout against the Brazilian national team Thursday. The shootout went into overtime after a 10-10 finish at the end of the second half. Brazil and UCLA continued to struggle for an advantage, finishing the first overtime period tied at 11 apiece. Ultimately, the Bruins faced a 12-13 defeat that will not show up on their record.

UCLA remains the top-ranked team in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, with some of its toughest competition in conference play still upcoming. UCLA faces No. 8 Arizona State, No. 3 USC and No. 2 Stanford over the next three weeks. The Cardinal are the only team to defeat the Bruins (19-1, 3-0 MPSF) this season. The final stretch proceeding the postseason will not be without its trials.

With regard to the challenges ahead, Donohoe said that the team would continue to focus on its own game and improvement, taking it one game at a time as it always has.

Compiled by Nicole Becannon, Bruin Sports contributor.