FanPost

Men's Water Polo - MPSF Tournament Semifinals - UCLA vs Long Beach St - Preview and Game Thread

When: Saturday, November 22, 2014, 1:30 PM PT

Where: Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center, Long Beach, CA

Video: Long Beach State Online Video

Live Stats: None

Official Preview: None (Thanks Dan!)

The #1 UCLA men's water polo team (26-2, 8-0) is back in the pool this afternoon after defeating UCSB 14-8 in the MPSF tournament quarterfinals yesterday. Our semifinal opponent is #4 Long Beach State (19-6, 5-3); they advanced to the semifinals by defeating Cal 9-6 in a contest that was tight until the final 6 minutes. Unfortunately, there is no official preview for today's game; the athletic department couldn't be bothered to support this team as it competes for the conference tournament championship.

The Bruins wasted no time in building a comfortable lead against the Gauchos. Two goals by Daniel Lenhart and single goals by Chris Fahlsing, Paul Reynolds, David Culpan and Danny McClintick gave UCLA a 6-0 cushion at the end of the first quarter. The Bruins carried a 6 goal lead into halftime thanks to a second quarter goal by Cristiano Mirarchi. UCLA extended their lead in the third quarter. McClintick scored his second goal of the game, Lenhart notched his third, and Ryder Roberts, Anthony Daboub and Jack Fellner added goals to put the Bruins up 12-3 going to the final quarter. The Gauchos closed the gap in the fourth against UCLA's subs, but the final outcome was never in doubt.

Long Beach State represents a much tougher challenge. The Bruins were comfortable winners against Long Beach State last week at Spieker, but the 49ers will have home pool advantage today. However, if the Bruins play to the standard that they've set this season, they should handle Long Beach State and advance to the finals of the MPSF tournament to face the winner of the Stanford-USC semifinal tomorrow. If they do, let's hope that the athletic department makes a better effort to promote the game.

Go BRUINS!


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