UCLA Wins NCAA Championship Number 104

by Nestor on May 10, 2009 6:37 PM PDT in Other Sports Comment 10 comments

Coach K and his incredible program (which has now entered the rarified sphere of Coach Wooden and Scate's legendary programs at UCLA) gets it done again.

UCLA women's waterpolo team wins their 5th straight NCAA championship (an astounding championship number 10 for Coach Adam Krikorian at UCLA) by beating number 1 ranked Southern Cal Trojans in a hear-stopping 5-4 win. From the official site:

The Bruins (25-6) led 5-3 at halftime and did not score in the final two quarters.

Tanya Gandy led the Bruins with three goals, including two in the first minute of play. Anne Belden (late in the first quarter) and Priscilla Orozco (late in second quarter) scored UCLA's other two goals. Goalie Brittany Fullen had at least a dozen saves, including one on USC's final possession. The Bruins were then able to run out the clock to win the title.

UCLA's senior class of Anne Belden, Brittany Fullen, Tanya Gandy and Katie Rulon finished with four NCAA titles and a perfect 12-0 in NCAA Tournament play

Sunday's championship match marked the final game for Adam Krikorian as the UCLA head women's water polo coach. Krikorian will assume duties as the U.S. Women's Water Polo National Team coach this month, while staying at UCLA as a member of the men's water polo coaching staff.

I watched parts of the first half and most of the second half. When I was watching our ladies moving their hands, swarming their opponents I kept thinking Ben Ball defense. They were tenacious, suffocating, and backed up by the incredible effort of Brittany Fullen, who kept repelling shots after shots.

Congrats to Coach K who moves on to take over the USA's national team and will be in charge of that program presumably through 2012 Olympics. Of course we are all hoping and praying he comes back.

Again congrats to these amazing group of Bruins who have now carved up their own space in the pantheons of Bruin lore. Well done ladies.

GO BRUINS.

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The UCLA Flag Flies Proudly in Houston, Texas

My neighbors have become accustomed to the flag flying for National Championships — but I can’t do it enough.

Congrat’s women of the water!!!

sjh

by Class of 66 on May 10, 2009 6:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GO BRUINS!

There’s only one thing sweeter than a National Championship… that’s a National Championship won over the Trojies…

by impaulv on May 10, 2009 7:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GO BRUINS!!!

104 – amazing. Congrats to all the UCLA Water Polo Ladies!!!

by uclafan11 on May 10, 2009 7:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is so F@*&n Awesome!!

I had completely forgotten about this game (even after having read Ryebread’s post yesterday) Because I have been so completely swamped. So when I logged on tonight I was blasted with the good news. I LOVE IT!! The double whammy over the TroJays just makes it so much sweeter! I LOVE IT !!!!!

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on May 10, 2009 7:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

Congrats to the ladies and Coach K. Wish I could’ve watched this, but I’m always busy on Mother’s Day.

We’ve all seen a ton of UCLA championships, but they don’t get old.

by gilbert on May 10, 2009 8:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Really fun

It was like watching Ben Ball warriors. USC had at least 6 times in the 3rd and 4th period when they had a player advantage and they could not capitalize. The defense was incredible! This made my day, like posted above, the only thing better than winning the NC is doing it over U$C!

Go Bruins!

by westwood12003 on May 10, 2009 9:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fantastic News

A fantastic job by our ladies and another superb effort by Coach Krikorian. If this is it for him then it he couldn’t have asked for a better ending I’m sure, but I really hope there is some way he can still coach for us and also do his thing for the national team.

by Tydides on May 10, 2009 11:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Stunning

I am so ecstatic! 5 years in a row! 15 years in a row with a championship in at least one sport. Number 104. OVER $c!! Simply fantastic. Congratulations ladies, you made us proud to be Bruins today. All the best to Coach K, thanks for all you have done and will continue to do.

by sponkey21 on May 11, 2009 12:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, Wow, WOW LADIES!!!!

I am SO PROUD. Bruin DEFENSE, AGAIN, takes the day, and the NATIONAL TITLE!!!!

My flag is out today, too, ‘66. (My neighbors are more likely to be perplexed, which gives me a chance to explain, "Oh, just National Championship No. 104. What’s that cartoon bird you guys cheer for, again?"

CONGRATULATIONS, Ladies, and Coach Krikorian.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on May 11, 2009 5:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Krikorian and Vavic

It is truly amazing what these coaches have accomplished at their respective programs with each having incredible success in both mens and womens water polo. Congrats on the win in the hard fought game!

by Laughing Stock on May 11, 2009 9:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs