A new opportunity.

A fresh start.

Anything can happen.

No. 2 seed UCLA women’s water polo (20-4, 4-2 MSPF) will kick off its NCAA tournament run against No. 7 seed Harvard (26-3, 5-1 CWPA) at Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla, California on Friday evening.

The Bruins triumphed over the Crimson the last time the teams met, beating the latter 15-4 on March 21. Despite the score disparity, both teams created a near equal number of opportunities on net, with UCLA taking 26 shots and Harvard putting up 24.

And the one-and-done nature of the NCAA tournament poses the opportunity for upsets, should the Crimson capitalize on scoring opportunities this time around.

While the Bruins are the stronger seed, the Crimson could still become this year’s Cinderella story.

After falling to Stanford in triple-overtime in the semifinal round of the MPSF tournament, the Bruins came back to take third place against California. And the tournament helped a few players hit their stride, just in time for the fight for a national championship.

“I’ve been telling her (junior attacker Elektra Urbatsch) for a long time that she is such a talented player,” said interim co-head coach Jason Falitz. “I think she maybe was doubting herself earlier in the year, and whatever has clicked, she’s playing at an incredibly high level.”

Urbatsch has been a key part of the UCLA offense, having been one of the top two scorers in the past four games while scoring a hat trick or more during the last three.

She is not the only one making key contributions and offensive strides for the team, though.

Sophomore attacker Tali Stryker has consistently shown up for the Bruins, finding the back of the net in the past four games as well.

“Tali is playing big minutes for us,” Falitz said. “She plays on the right side, which is really hard to play. You’re guarding the best players in the pool. When she gets on her legs and is confident and does things the right way, she’s a really talented player, and she also had a lot of big shots for us this weekend, and was able to play in really big moments that she hasn’t been in before.”

Even after individual accomplishments that deliver in big moments, the individuals on the squad stay humble, crediting their fellow teammates. The unity and bond the team fosters will be key going into the tournament, the Bruins said.

And that team first mindset could help UCLA put up more points in the postseason.

“My teammates setting me up is what really helps me the most,” Stryker said. “We’re a family, and so they give me the confidence to be able to step up and shoot.”

However, the Crimson know how to put up a fight.

Harvard won its league, the CWPA, against Princeton in quadruple-sudden death with a golden goal after trailing entering the third quarter. In a win-or-go home situation, the Crimson showcased the ability to deliver under pressure.

The idea of each game possibly being the last is very prevalent for the seniors playing in their final NCAA tournament. The Bruins have a large senior class, with 11 players’ collegiate careers soon coming to a close.

“It’s super emotional for me,” said senior utility Genoa Rossi. “This has been my family for four years, and I’m so grateful to be a part of a team like this. We got one more weekend left, and I got to leave everything I got out there for my family.”