UCLA women’s water polo falls to USC in 1st game of weekend doubleheader

This post was updated April 24 at 9:57 p.m.

The Bruins’ day one struggles continued.

No. 3 UCLA women’s water polo (10-3, 8-3 MPSF) fell 5-3 in the first game of a back-to-back series against No. 1 USC (17-0, 11-0) on Saturday at Spieker Aquatics Center. The Bruins have lost three of their last five games on the front end of a doubleheader, representing the only losses for the blue and gold this season.

“A lot of positives out of today and a lot of room to grow,” said coach Adam Wright. “USC has demonstrated throughout the year they’re the best team in the country. Obviously, you want to be successful every time you go out and play, but there’s just a lot of a lot of positives to take away from today. And we have an opportunity tomorrow to continue to grow.”

The eight combined goals between the teams represented the lowest-scoring game for UCLA since a 5-3 loss to California in 2018. But it wasn’t just the Bruins who struggled to find the net, with the Trojans recording their lowest-scoring game all season.

“I think we can be a whole lot better,” Wright said. “We got to be able to match what we were doing on defense with our offense. That’ll be the exciting part tomorrow because it’s a quick turnaround and we’ll get to see where we’re at.”

With the third period coming to a close, sophomore utility Abbi Hill lined up for a five-meter penalty shot with a chance to even the score at two goals apiece. Instead, the shot clanked off the post and the Bruins would subsequently give up a goal on the first possession of the fourth quarter to bring the deficit to 3-1.

UCLA wound up finishing 3-of-21 from the pool and 1-of-11 on the powerplay. Senior attacker Lexi Liebowitz was the only Bruin to find the back of the net Saturday, registering her first hat trick of the season. Liebowitz single-handedly accounted for nine of her team’s 21 shots on the afternoon.

Wright said the left-handed attacker played both on the outside and at center Saturday.

“The thing that I like most about Lexi today is she was going for it,” Wright said. “She was not hesitant. I think part of that is getting her some opportunities as a center – she created a lot of exclusions as a center. And that’s what we’re going to need to be honest. There were some opportunities for sure that I think she would like to have back, but she’s creating opportunities.”

The initial scoring drought for UCLA lasted over 13 minutes before Liebowitz connected on her first of the game. The Bruins’ leading goal scorer this season – sophomore attacker Hannah Palmer – got off just one shot in the first half, which came in the waning moments of the second period. Palmer finished 0-of-3 with an assist, drawn exclusion and steal, failing to find the back of the net for the first time all season.

The Trojans’ top-four goal-scorers did not fare any better, shooting a season-worst 2-of-14. USC’s points leader entering the game – driver Verica Bakoc – fouled out before the fourth quarter began.

Junior center Ava Johnson led the team with three drawn exclusions, while Liebowitz, Hill and senior defender Myna Simmons had two each. Liewbowitz attributed the breakout defensive performance to the team being more consistent on that end. 

“It just came down to the communication and intensity and presence everywhere in the pool – not letting our guard down,” Liebowitz said.

While UCLA had nine exclusions – tied for their second-lowest total of the season – and held the Trojans to 0-of-8 on the powerplay, four Bruins found themselves in foul trouble with two exclusions each.

Despite 21 combined exclusions and two penalty shots between the sides, neither team took advantage of its 6-on-5 opportunities. UCLA and USC combined for 1-of-19 on the powerplay and 0-for-2 from the five-meter mark.

Goalkeeper Holly Parker posted seven saves in the win, but it was Bruin senior goalkeeper Jahmea Bent who tallied 10 saves and held a Trojan squad that averages almost 13 goals per game to just two goals through three quarters. 

Earning her first Saturday start of the season, Bent said she wasn’t focused on USC’s high-powered attack.

“I was just more focused on me, instead of focusing so much on the opponent,” Bent said. “I just made sure I had a positive and pumped mindset. That way, when it came to the game, I was just in a headspace that didn’t come from anxiety or from just low energy.”

The Crosstown Splashdown also featured fans in the stands for the first time at a UCLA game this season. The limited selection of friends and family brought a slight return to normalcy to Dirks Pool.

The fans will return tomorrow for Senior Day celebrations as UCLA will have another crack at USC on the back end of the doubleheader, which the Bruins have yet to lose all season.

“I’m pretty excited for Senior Day,” Bent said. “My mentality right now is to win tomorrow and to definitely see this team be more competitive (and) more energetic. I just really want this for us and for no one else.”

The Bruins and Trojans will take to the pool once more at 11 a.m. on Sunday.