#4 UCLA Men’s Water Polo Hosts #2 Stanford on Senior Day

Three weeks ago, the UCLA men’s water polo team went up against host Stanford in the Mountain Pacific Invitational. In that game, the Cardinal grabbed a win with a last second goal that broke a 7-7 tie. Today, the teams meet again in an MPSF match in Westwood.

Today is also UCLA’s final home meet of the season. That means the Bruins will honor their departing players today in a pregame ceremony. Those departing players include seniors Kent Inouye, Austin Rone, David Stilling, Warren Snyder and redshirt juniors Eric Goldenberg and Raphael Reade. UCLA will also honor the five Bruins who qualified for the 1980 US Olympic water polo team which did not get to play for the gold due to the US Olympic boycott of the Moscow Games.

Last Time Out

Last Saturday, UCLA traveled north to face UC Berkeley. The only time that Berkeley didn’t lead in this game was when the score was tied 1-1. Otherwise, the Bruins were playing from behind all game.

Ashworth Molthen picked up a hat trick for the Bruins while Nicolas Saveljic added two goals. Warren Snyder and Felix Broyna-Vilim each scored as well for UCLA.

Stanford Cardinal

The Cardinal lost their only game of the season so far to Southern Cal in the Championship Game of the Mountain Pacific Invitational after beating them at home in an MPSF match earlier in October.

Since losing that game, the Cardinal have beaten four Top 20 teams including UC Davis and UC Irvine last season.

Outlook

This game is going to be another knockdown, dragout fight to the finish, but I think that the Bruins will have the edge this afternoon because they are at home. UCLA might even need overtime to win this one.

But, the one thing that’s for sure is that the Bruins really need a win today to help with their seeding in the MPSF Tournament which will start in a few weeks.

This is your UCLA men’s water polo vs. Stanford open thread.


Go Bruins!!!