Men’s water polo team wins tight game with Pepperdine

Monday, October 5, 1998

Men’s water polo team wins tight game with Pepperdine

RECAP: Tied until last minutes, UCLA maintains perfect record in
conference by tightening up defense, making big offensive play

By Grace Wen

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

It wasn’t a tidal wave of offense that overwhelmed Pepperdine,
but a begrudging defense that shut down the defending
national-champion Waves.

The UCLA men’s water polo team triumphed 5-4 over Pepperdine in
a close match on Friday afternoon at the Sunset Canyon Recreation
Center. The Bruins handed Pepperdine its fourth loss of the season
and improved their record to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in conference
play. It was UCLA’s second win over Pepperdine this season.

"Pepperdine came out really fired up," senior co-captain Sam
Grayeli said.

"It was a really big game for them, but towards the end we
showed a lot of composure. We ended up sneaking it out. We didn’t
have the best offensive game, but we still won it with our defense
which is very important."

Crucial to UCLA’s defensive performance was the play of
goalkeeper Parsa Bonderson, who had 10 saves. In addition, a couple
of key steals by Brian Brown, Sean Kern, and Grayeli throughout the
match halted several Pepperdine attacks.

The Bruins jumped onto the scoreboard first with a goal by
sophomore Dave Parker. With fewer than two minutes left in the
first quarter, the Waves responded with a goal by freshman Greg
Lonzo.

After less than a minute into the second quarter, Pepperdine
took a 2-1 lead off a goal by Todd King. UCLA, however, answered
with three consecutive goals to take a 4-2 lead. Sophomore Adam
Wright began the run on a breakaway that ended in a short lob shot
over the hands of Pepperdine goalkeeper Merrill Moses.

"At first, I thought he was going to come out and scramble and
try to get the ball," Wright said. "Once he came out (of the cage),
I figured I would try to throw it and lob it in over his head."

The Bruins’ next goal was by Brian Brown, who was assisted by
Andy Bailey.

After his assist, Bailey would score UCLA’s third goal of the
quarter as he sprinted ahead of the pack on another breakaway.

Despite four blocks by Bonderson, the Waves would pull to within
one by another goal from King. UCLA, on the other hand, was held
scoreless during the third quarter, and in the fourth quarter
Pepperdine tied up the match with a goal by Pete Joseph.

It seemed as though the match would be heading into overtime
until Grayeli broke a 4-4 tie late in the fourth quarter. Grayeli
stole the ball and scored on a six-on-five power play to give UCLA
a lead it would not relinquish.

"It was a good game. Both teams played well," Pepperdine head
coach Terry Schroeder said. "I think there’s a lot of teams that
are very close this year. UCLA won it in the last quarter and
that’s where (the game was decided)".

With the loss, Pepperdine drops to 2-4 while UCLA maintained its
unblemished record in conference play.

UCLA head coach Guy Baker likes the position the Bruins are in
as they prepare for the Northern California Tournament in two
weeks.

"I’m happy with the outcome of this type of game, to come
through and get a win at home," Baker said. "In the long run, it’s
going to be good for us to go through that.

"And now, we have two weeks to get ready for Nor Cal (Northern
California Tournament). We don’t have anything next weekend so we
can get back and really get some really good work. We’re in great
shape all over. We should be seeded high in the tournament. I like
the position we’re in. We focused on this after the So. Cal
tournament."

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